*Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Karimganj College, Karimganj, Assam
**Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Commerce, Assam University, Silchar, Cachar, Assam
***Associate Professor and Head, Department of Commerce, Assam University, Silchar, Cachar, Assam
Online published on 9 October, 2014.
The Stone Crushing Industry producescrushed stones of various sizes which are used as raw material for various construction activities such as roads, highways, bridges, buildings, and canals etc. It has been estimated in 2007–08 that there were more than 12,000 stone crushing units in India with an annual turnover of Rs. 5000 crores. The industry provided direct employment to more than 500,000 people in various activities related to stone crushing like mining, crushing plant, transportation of mined stones and crushed products etc. According to the Pollution Control Board, Regional Office Silchar, Cachar District, Assam, there are 94 stone crushing units in Barak Valley as on 26th February, 2013. The number is expected to increase in future in order to meet the growing demand for stone forthe development of the nation.
The stone crushing units by emission of substantial quantity of fine fugitive dust create the problem of health hazards to the workers of the unitsas well as in the surrounding population by way of causing respiratory and other diseases. The dust also adversely affects visibility, reduces growth of vegetation and hampers aesthetics of the area. In order to prevent/control these emissions, Central Pollution Control Board has already evolved Emission Standards and notified guidelines in 1989 under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Realizing theharmful effect of different types of pollution like air, water, soil etc., Government of India adopted multi-pronged strategies in the form of regulations, legislations, agreements, fiscal incentives and other measures to prevent and abate pollution.
The present paper highlights the issues of pollution caused by stone crushers in Barak Valley and implementation of various legislative provisions to control pollution created by the stone crushing units of Barak Valley. Both primary and secondary data are used in the present paper.
Stone Crushing Industry, Environmental Pollution, Industrial Workers, Suspended Particulate Matter, Pollution Control Measures, etc
