ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND THEORY INTO PRACTICE
- 1. IMPACTS OF Mining and Dam Building on Environment
- 2. What is Mining? Miningis theprocess ofdiggingthe earthtoremove valuable minerals andnatural resourceslike coal,gold,iron, copper, diamonds, andstones. Theseresourcesareusedinmany industries—like making electricity, building houses, and making machines. Types of Mining SurfaceMining:Thetoplayerof soil and rocks is removed to reach the minerals underneath. Underground Mining: Deep tunnels are made to bring minerals from below the earth. Placer Mining: Minerals are collected from riverbeds or sand. Open-pit Mining: A large open hole is dug in the ground to extract minerals
- 3. Environmental Impacts of Mining 2. Soil Erosion 1. Deforestation 3. Water Pollution When vegetation isremoved, the soil becomes loose and starts to wash away with rain or wind. This reducesthe quality ofland and makes it useless for farming. Tobeginmining, largeareas of forests are cleared. Trees are cut, and plants are destroyed. Thisleads toloss ofwildlife habitats and affects the balance of nature. Mininguseschemicals like mercury and cyanide to clean minerals. These chemicals often flow into nearby rivers, lakes, and groundwater. It poisons water used by people, animals, and plants.
- 5. What is Dam Building? Dam buildingmeansconstructingabarrier(wall)acrossariverorstreamtostop or control the flow of water. This barrier is called a dam. Dams help in: Storing water in a reservoir (big water tank) Producing electricity (hydropower) Irrigating fields (for farming) Controlling floods during heavy rains Examples of Dams in India: Bhakra Nangal Dam (on Satluj River) Tehri Dam (on Bhagirathi River) Sardar Sarovar Dam (on Narmada River)
- 6. Environmental Impacts of Dam Building Damsareusefulfor storingwater,producing electricity,andpreventingfloods. But buildinglargedams cancauseseriousharmto theenvironmentandtothepeople living nearby. Forests and wildlife habitats are submerged. Many animals, birds, and plant species lose their homes. Some species may even become endangered or extinct. Very large dams create pressure on the Earth’s crust. In some places, this pressure may lead to earthquakes or landslides. 1. Submergence of Land When a dam is built, water collects behind it in a large reservoir. This floods huge areas of forests, villages, farms, and sometimes even towns. Trees, plants, and animals in that area are destroyed. 2. Loss of Biodiversity 3. Risk of earthquakes
- 8. Measures to be taken to reduce the impact 1. Strict Environmental Regulations 3. Use of technology Adoptingcleanerandmoreefficient technologies that reduce environmental footprints. 2. Sustainable Practices Enforcinglawsthat requirethoroughenvironmental impact assessmentsbefore projectsbegin. Usingeco-friendlyminingmethods and designing dams that allow for fish migrationandnaturalwater flow.
- 9. CONCLUSION Inconclusion, mininganddambuildinghavesignificant environmental impactsthatcanleadtolong-termecological damage. Miningactivitiesoftenresultinhabitatdestruction,soil erosion, water pollution,andloss ofbiodiversity.Similarly,dam construction alters natural water flow,floods ecosystems,and disrupts aquatic life. While both activitiescan provideeconomic benefits and support infrastructure development,theymustbe carefully managed and regulated to minimize environmentalharm. Sustainable practices, environmental assessments, and restoration efforts are essential to balance development with environmental protection.