-The Telegraph Slushy water is eroding underground rock, accelerating the subsidence in parts of the town, geologist Piyoosh Rautela tells The Telegraph New Delhi: Piyoosh Rautela, a professional geologist, has scrambled over the past week to manage a crisis in Joshimath he had warned about 12 years ago — a spike in the central Himalayan town’s sinking rate triggered by the sudden release of underground water. The water discharge from a burst aquifer...

-Newsclick.in Joshimath is a serious warning signal. Any realistic development strategy should balance infra development, acceptable levels of risk, and carrying capacity of the terrai, says the noted expert on earthquakes. Dr. CP Rajendran is among India’s foremost experts on seismo-tectonics, earthquakes and tsunami Geology. He is also a strong critic of the development model being pursued in Uttarakhand, a hilly state where the intensity of large-scale infrastructure projects has been rising...

-The Tribune Of sanctioned strength of 78, only 18 personnel have joined on deputation to carry out anti-mining raids Chandigarh: A total of 78 police personnel were sanctioned to join the Mines and Geology Department on deputation in 2021 for carrying out raids to stop illegal mining, but just 18 joined. Despite the department requesting the Haryana Police thrice to send the remaining 60 personnel, none has joined, not even after DSP...

-TheWire.in A performance audit brings home the point of what happens when the national auditor is denied access to information and records. A recently concluded performance audit on the functioning of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trusts in Jharkhand has indicted the state’s Mining and Geology Department for failing to furnish the actual figures of collections from mining leaseholders. Bringing the sad state of affairs to public notice, the national auditor said, “There were...

-Press release by Mineral Inheritors Rights Association dated February 18, 2022 The Rajasthan government on 17th February, has taken a positive step in addressing illegal mining in the State. The Directorate of Mines and Geology, Government of Rajasthan has added an important clause to the Bid letter of the Tender document for auction of major mineral blocks. The clause-10 (e) requires the bidder to assert: “I/We have not been convicted of...