Sand: mining or no mining in agricultural fields in Haryana

Sand: mining or no mining in agricultural fields in Haryana [1]

Sand mines have definite impact on surface configuration and topography of the land. Small sized mines are prone to flooding and erosion and a permanent threat to the adjoining lands. While large sized sand mines by virtue of their size are less threatened by floods, rather these could play vital role of a large ground water recharging or water harvesting body in the event of unusually large floods feared in future due to global warming. This report indicates that sand mining causes loss in the yield of major crops in the initial 2 to 3 years but a break-even point in yields and soil improvement is achieved after 5th year of reclamation. Therefore, sand mining from agricultural fields should be permitted provided the mine lands must be returned to agricultural land use after concurrent reclamation under guidance and monitoring of agricultural experts.

Publication Date:

01/01/2007

Author(s): Gurbachan Singh [2], K.K. Mehta [3], R.C. Sharma [4]

Source: Central Soil Salinity Research Institute [5]

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