Mining brings its own miseries like deforestation, air pollution, groundwater depletion, water contamination and soil erosion. The major mineral bearing areas of Odisha like Keonjhar, Sundargarh, parts of Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Jharsuguda and Angul are facing the adverse impacts of mining on its land and water resources. ...Therefore, interventions like afforestation, constructions of check dams, percolation pits, contour bunds and other watershed management practices are being implemented to address the adverse impacts of mining in the state. Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC) being partners in progress with the government, has approved projects worth ₹701.14 crore and initiated focused interventions aimed at enhancing forest cover, improving groundwater recharge through watershed management practices and conserving soil moisture through structures like check dams, percolation tanks, contour bunds etc. These efforts also promote community participation and sustainable land-use practices. The approved projects are being implemented across seven districts, targeting the reduction of surface runoff, treatment of drainage lines, and strengthening of local water resources for long-term ecological and community resilience.
