54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Realising the importance of hazards posed by the dams, the Government India constituted
the Dams Safety Organization. New Delhi, in CWC in 1979. The organization assists the
state governments to locate causes of potential distress and redress the affecting Safety of
Dams and Allied Structures. It also advised and guides the state government in providing
suitable remedial measures.
The organization has created awareness about the implications of Dam Hazard and the
consequence of failure thereof. The organization devised guidelines and literature on dam
safety inspections and modes and causes of failure to highlight the importance of monitoring
the Safety Aspects of Dams. This organization is the Secretarial of the Nations Committee
of Dam Safety created to follow-up the implementation of the recommendation of the ‘Report
on Dam Safety Organization’. It is also pursuing creation of Dam Safety Cells in various
states and, in this connection, 12 States have so far set-up ‘Dam Safety Cells’ in their States.
Note: Courtesy Research and Reference Division Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Govt. of India.
MINERAL RESOURCE: USE AND EXPLOITATION ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECT OF THEIR EXTRACTION
Significance
The economic development of a country depends, to a great extent. On the availability
of minerals, got as ores from the earth by mining Coal and iron are the basic minerals which
man needs to develop iron and steel industry. Minerals like mica, copper, lead and zinc are
of vast economic importance. Thorium and uranium are atomic energy minerals.
Position of Minerals in India
India is rich endowed with minerals like coal, bauxite, barytes, iron, one mica, gypsum,
chromite, dolomite and limestone while it is deficient in minerals like asbestos, phosphates,
lead, tungsten, tin platinum group of metals, gold and diamonds.
Need for an Appropriate Policy
An appropriate policy regarding extraction of minerals is needed in view of the limited
availability and nature of minerals as under:
(1) Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable.
(2) Mineral resources constitute raw materials for many basic industries.
(3) Mineral resources are major resources of nations development.National Mineral Policy
In view of the above Nations Mineral Policy has been adopted which encompasses the
various Policy Guidelines, which have been issued from time to time. The policy also
emphasizes certain new aspects and elements as under:
(1) Mineral Exploration in the seabed,
(2) Development of proper inventory,
(3) Proper linkage between exploitation of minerals and development of mineral
industry,