Why in news?

The Uttarakhand High Court has criticized authorities for unregulated soapstone mining in Bageshwar district, which currently has over 160 mines.

The court took suo motu cognizance of a November 7, 2024 news article highlighting rampant mining in Kanda tehsil, leaving poor residents vulnerable to natural calamities.

The report submitted to the Uttarakhand HC highlighted the absence of a clear definition for "semi-mechanised mining" by both the State of Uttarakhand and the Union of India.

Environmental clearances are being granted without defined policy limits, enabling the use of heavy earth-moving equipment, which leads to severe environmental and operational challenges.

What’s in today’s article?

• What is Soapstone?
• Various concerns associated with Soapstone mining

What is Soapstone?

• About
  • Soapstone, also known as steatite, is a soft metamorphic rock composed primarily of talc with varying amounts of chlorite, dolomite, and magnesite.
  • Its smooth, soapy texture and heat-resistant properties make it a versatile material.
• Uses
  • Industrial Uses: Soapstone is widely used in industries for making sculptures, countertops, sinks, and tiles due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
  • Heat Resistance: It is used in stoves, fireplaces, and laboratory countertops because of its excellent heat resistance.
  • Cosmetics and Paper: Ground soapstone serves as a filler in paper, cosmetics, and paints.
  • Traditional Uses: In India, soapstone is used for making utensils, handicrafts, and idols.
• Availability in India
  • Rajasthan: The largest producer, particularly in the Udaipur, Dungarpur, and Bhilwara regions.
  • Uttarakhand: Notable deposits in Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, and Almora districts.
  • Tamil Nadu and Karnataka: Smaller reserves also exist.
• Mining
  • Soapstone mining involves extracting talc-rich rock from open-pit or underground mines.

Various concerns associated with Soapstone mining

• Environmental Concerns
  • Land Subsidence in Uttarakhand
    • Land subsidence is a significant issue, with notable cases like Joshimath in 2022 and vulnerable areas like Kanda-Kanyal and Kanda in Bageshwar district.
    • Subsidence, defined by NOAA as the “sinking of the ground due to underground material movement,” can result from mining, water/oil extraction, soil erosion, compaction, and earthquakes.
    • Mining in lower slope areas destabilizes upper slopes, increasing vulnerability to mass movement.
    • Loamy, loose soil in the region exacerbates erosion, especially during monsoons.
  • Mining Impacts on Stability and Ecosystems
    • Mining operations lack essential safeguards like green belts, retaining walls, buffer zones, and slope monitoring.
    • These deficiencies accelerate soil erosion, destabilization, and slope failure.
    • Mining and associated activities cause water scarcity, pollution, and air pollution.
• Cultural Concerns
  • Impact on Traditional Structures
    • The Kumaoni Bakhli, traditional houses resilient to seismic activity, are now damaged due to subsidence and mass movement, undermining their foundations.
    • These structures are a testament to local environmental and cultural adaptation over centuries.
  • Damage to Cultural Sites
    • The Kanda tehsil is culturally rich, with traditions of folk music, dance, and handicrafts.
    • The Kalika Temple, a significant 10th-century religious site in Kanda, has developed cracks due to subsidence, threatening its historical and cultural integrity.