Page 1 of 5
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 02
February 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 936
Impacts of River Sand & Gravel Extraction & Stone Mining on Land Use Pattern,
Ground Water Level & Human Health in the Region of Nangal Choudhary Tehsil
of Mahendergarh District, Haryana
SOMDATT Lect. In Geography
Address: Vill-Seka, The.- Narnaul
Distt.- Mahendergarh (Haryana)
PIN Code- 123001
Mob. No.-9728023222
Email- mail2somdatt89@gmail.com
Abstract:
Growing needs for infrastructure and accelerated development activities in the region of NCR for last
two decades have imposed immense pressure on construction material like river sand, gravel and stone.
Indiscriminate extraction of sand and gravel in Krishnawati river and mining of stones in Arawali hills in
the region of Nangal Choudhary is most disastrous and threatens to the ground water level and human
health. The present study examines the impact of river sand and gravel extraction and stone mining and
crushing on land use pattern,ground water level and human health.
Introduction:
A remarkable progress in built-up area and infrastructure development in NCR like Delhi, Gurugram,
Manesar, Bawal, Rewari etc. depend upon Nangal Choudhary region to meet the ever growing demand
of construction material for housing, commercial complex, new highways, to add more lines to
highways, railway lines and other infrastructure projects. It is almost impossible to meet with the need
of infrastructure without sand, gravel and stone in any area. Sand mining is taking place at a much faster
rate than natural replenishments. Excessive sand and gravel extraction, stone mining and crushing of
stones lead to alteration in topography of rivers and hills and affect local ecosystem. Dust emitted by
stone mining and stone crushers create health hazards to the surrounding population causing
respiratory diseases, skin and eye problems. Due to sand and gravel washing, groundwater level is
decreasing rapidly and causing non availability of groundwater for irrigation and drinking. There is
increase in quantity of fluoride in groundwater due to decrease of ground water level. The problem of
waste of stone mining and dust has become devastating to the landscape around mining and crushing
area and adversely affects visibility, reduce growth of vegetation and agriculture crops. The unscientific
Page 2 of 5
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 02
February 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 937
mining of stones poses serious threat to the environment, reduction of forest cover, increase of waste
land,erosion of soil and adverse effects on human health.
Study Area:
Nangal Choudhary tehsil, the part of Mahendergarh district in South Haryana which shares boundary
with Narnaul tehsil of Mahendergarh district and three districts of Rajasthan namely Alwar, Jaipur and
Sikar is the center of study. It has geographical extension between 270 53′58′′ to 28017′ 50′′ North
latitude and 750 12′ 35′′ to 760 24′ 40′′ East longitude. The study area is mainly occupied alluvial and
sand plains surrounded hillocks and elliptical hills are prominent features Arawali ridges. Arawali hills in
the region are raised up to 652 mtrs. The study area has semi- arid climatic conditions with hot summer
and cold winter and its natural topography is affected by sand and gravel extraction in Krishnawati river
and stone mining and crushing in Arawali hills. Average precipitation in the area is 570 millimeters (22
inch), average summer temperature is 380c and average winter temperature is 40c but maximum
temperature in summer reaches 470c and minimum temperature in winter downs 00c
Objectives:
The objectives of study mainly focuses on effects of sand, gravel extraction and stone
mining and crushing on land use pattern, ground water level and human health in specified area. It aims
to reach following objectives:
1.The change in pattern of land use because of sand, gravel extraction, stone mining and crushing.
2. The adverse impact of stone mining and crushing on human health.
3. The adverse impact of stone mining, crushing and sand and gravel extraction on ground water level.
Data Collection and Methodology:
The assessment of ecological effects, decrease in
ground water level, change in land use pattern, effects on human health of stone mining and crushing
are the prime focuses of the study. Data have been collected by the Department of Mining and Geology,
Haryana. Ground water level data have been collected from Central Ground Water Board (North
Region), Chandigarh. For fluoride quantity in ground water, a sample survey was conducted in ten
villages namely Musnota, Mulodi, Golwa, SirohiBahali, Akoli, Sareli, Kamania, Khatol iAhir, Dholera,
MeghotHalla, NangalDargu. Data on effects of stone mining and crushing on human health have been
collected from CHC Nangal Choudhary and PHCs of villages of Nangal Choudhary tehsil.
Page 3 of 5
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 02
February 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 938
Dynamic Change in land use:
Because of the consequences of economic and social activities of human beings related to nature, there
is a dynamic change in land use. The cultivated land area has witnessed major changes in land use
because of sand and gravel extraction and stone mining and crushing. Cultivated area is being converted
in residential built up area and crushing zones.
Following results have been concluded on the basis of land use data for two different years 2005-06 and
2014-15 in Nangal Choudhary tehsil of Mahendergarh district:
Sr. No. Categories 2005-06(sq.km.) 2014-15(sq.km.) Difference(sq.
km.)
1 Agriculture land
area
330.30 320.10 -10.2
2 Forest 6.19 5.25 -0.94
3 Built up area 10.42 22.39 +11.91
4 Waste land 4.62 5.59 +0.97
5 Grass and Grazing 8.47 6.67 -1.8
Total 360 360
The study shows that there has been a dynamic change in land use. There is decrease in agriculture land
area, forest area and grass and grazing area. There is increase in built-up area and waste land.
Impacts of Mining and Crushing on Human Health:
Stone dust of crushers and mines pollution leads to various health risks like respiratory ailments,
pulmonary problems, pneumoconiosis, skin and eye problems. Human beings are exposed to inhalation
of silica bearing dust developing Silicosis disease a fatal lung disease. Data collected from various villages
found pulmonary problems like chest pain, cough, asthma, wheezing and shortness of breath among
villagers. Mining and crushing are main cause of noise pollution because high level explosives are used
for blasting. Blasting generates instantaneous and impulsive noise. The noise level near blast is 120
db(A). There is ample evidence to show that air pollution causes of sleep disturbance, irritation, stress,
tension, distraction and heart diseases. Due to washing of sand and gravel, ground water level downs
and it causes to increase in quantity of fluoride in water. Quantity of fluoride in water more than
