Mining ban around Chittorgarh Fort!
Chittorgarh Fort is one of the biggest forts in India. It is at the centre of a court case going on between Birla Corporation and the Rajasthan government in the [[Supreme Court::The highest court of a country.]].
In 2012, the Rajasthan High Court stopped all mining and blasting within 10 km of the fort. It also cancelled mining rights given to companies in that area.
In 2020, Birla Corporation asked the Supreme Court to change this. They showed a study and said mining should be allowed at least 5 km away from the fort. But the Rajasthan government wants a full ban up to 10 km.
Why did the court stop mining?
Experts from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said the fort is weak. Blasting can harm the fort.
Also, people living nearby said mining is polluting the water in the rivers. There are eight rivers in the Chittorgarh district.
What do people mine here?
People mine limestone in this area. Limestone is used to make cement, glass, tiles, paint, paper, and steel. It is also used to clean water and remove waste from metals. To get limestone, people dig open holes or [[quarries::A deep hole in the ground where stones, sand, or other materials are taken for building.]]. This needs blasting and drilling.
Rajasthan gives 23% of India’s limestone. Chittorgarh alone makes more than 15 million tonnes every year. Money matters for growing our [[economy::The process of buying and selling of goods and services by which a country makes money.]] but keeping the fort and the environment safe matters more.
Why is Chittorgarh Fort important?
Chittorgarh Fort is a [[UNESCO World Heritage site::A place like a building, city, or natural area that is protected because it is important to the history or culture of the world.]]. It was once the capital of Mewar.
Between 1300 and 1616 AD, many kings tried to take the fort. They include Alauddin Khilji, Bahadur Shah, and Emperor Akbar. So, the fort is an important part of Indian history.
The fort has tall towers, big palaces, temples, and many water tanks—84 in total. This is why it is also called the ‘Water Fort’.
We hope the Rajasthan government can protect this old and beautiful fort by stopping all mining near it.
Quick Revision
• In 2012, mining and blasting were banned within 10 km of Chittorgarh Fort; Birla Corporation wants mining allowed 5 km away, but Rajasthan wants a full 10 km ban
• Experts say blasting can damage the weak fort, and mining is also polluting nearby rivers
• Limestone mined here is used to make cement and other things; Rajasthan produces 23% of India’s limestone, and Chittorgarh makes over 15 million tonnes yearly
• Chittorgarh Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once the capital of Mewar, with 84 water tanks, so it must be protected
