A Historic Fort Under Threat
Rajasthan May Ban Mining Near Chittorgarh Fort to Protect Heritage : The Chittorgarh Fort, a symbol of Rajput valor and pride, may soon get a protective buffer as the Rajasthan government considers banning all mining activity within a 10-kilometre radius. This decision follows years of legal battles and expert warnings about the adverse impact of mining on the structural and environmental integrity of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The move gains significance as India’s heritage conservation increasingly collides with industrial demands.
Legal Dispute Reaches Apex Court
The matter began in 2012 when the Rajasthan High Court imposed a mining ban around the fort, citing risks from blasting and excavation. However, Birla Corporation Limited, a major limestone mining entity, challenged the decision. The case has since escalated to the Supreme Court, which is currently reviewing the issue. In 2024, the Court directed a scientific impact study to assess the extent of harm mining may cause.
Conflicting Reports and Criticism
The IIT–ISM Dhanbad report submitted in January 2024 argued that controlled blasting beyond 5 km from the fort would be safe. However, this claim has drawn criticism from heritage experts and conservationists, who point out that the report lacked standard blast impact analysis and failed to adequately study the geology of the region. Concerns were also raised about the vagueness of the term “controlled blasting” and its practical enforceability.
Institutional Concerns and Environmental Damage
Both the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) oppose mining activities near the fort. They highlight that Chittorgarh Fort, with its fragile structures and ancient foundations, is especially vulnerable to the slightest vibrations. Environmental assessments also revealed damage to nearby rivers such as Bedach and Gambhiri, with reports of pollution and ecological imbalance due to unregulated mining, often violating the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
Scale of Mining Raises Alarm
Mining is a large-scale economic activity in Chittorgarh district. Limestone leases cover nearly 4,360 hectares, producing over 11 million tonnes annually, while minor mineral extraction adds 5.2 million tonnes from open-cast methods. The sheer volume of material being extracted near a centuries-old monument has raised urgent calls for stricter regulation and long-term conservation plans.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Rajasthan May Ban Mining Near Chittorgarh Fort to Protect Heritage :
| Category | Detail |
| Monument Name | Chittorgarh Fort |
| Location | Chittorgarh, Rajasthan |
| UNESCO Status | Declared in 2013 under Hill Forts of Rajasthan |
| Historical Importance | Associated with Rani Padmini, Rana Kumbha, and Rajput resistance |
| Fort Area | 700 acres, including 65 historic structures |
| Legal Case Origin | Rajasthan High Court, 2012 |
| Current Legal Forum | Supreme Court of India |
| Scientific Study Body | IIT – Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad |
| Key Opposing Institutions | ASI, CBRI, environmental groups |
| Local Rivers Affected | Bedach and Gambhiri |
| Key Mining Company Involved | Birla Corporation Limited |
| Mining Output | 16.2 million tonnes/year (combined major and minor leases) |
