Adverse Effects of Quarrying Activities in Thane Region

A Interdisciplinary Project proposal submitted to University of

Mumbai,
Dept. Of Law

As a part of the curriculum

For the Degree of LL.M

Under the faculty of Environmental Law

Submitted by: -

Mr . SONKAMBLE PRAMOD JAYANT ASHA

LL.M II year, Sem IV

Roll No/ Sr. No. – 68

Under the advice and guidance of

Prof. Dr. Falaknaz Shaikh

University of Mumbai, Department of Law

Year 2021-22
 Introduction:

This Pre Feasibility Report has been prepared for the stone quarry over the area of 2.4 Ha.
(Survey No. 8) in Village Saphale , Tahsil Palghar, District Thane, Maharashtra, in accordance
with the Notification of MoEF S.O. 1533 dated 14th September 2006. Though any development
activity like industry or quarry project may cause temporary damage to land, forest and induce
changes in the quality of air, water, flora and fauna of the area, it has favourable effect of
industrialization on social development and progress of the nation. For overall gain, it is
necessary to strike a balance between the two aspects of economy and ecology and ensure
that impacts on the environment are minimized with improvement in socio-economic
conditions. This is better achieved through a well-planned approach of EMP relevant to the
area under consideration. Basalt is used for a wide variety of purposes. It is most commonly
crushed for use as an aggregate in construction projects. Crushed basalt is required for road
base, concrete aggregate, asphalt pavement aggregate, railroad ballast, filter stone in drain
fields and many other purposes. Basalt is also cut into dimension stone. Thin slabs of basalt are
cut and sometimes polished for use as floor tiles, building veneer, monuments and other stone
objects. The proposed quarry will be developed as opencast for the production of Stone metal
& Stone dust of various sizes @ 1000 brass/month. In order to obtain environmental clearance
as per the EIA Notification 2006, the prefeasibility report is submitted along with the
application Form-I for the project under consideration The selected area has exposures of
Deccan trap basalt. This stone is excellent building stone as it possess most of the required
characteristic. The compact black stone are quite strong. The applicant has received a Quarry
permission from District Collector, Thane District, Thane (Annexure enclosed with Form-1).
Quarrying is the process of removing rock, sand, gravel or other minerals from the ground in
order to use them to produce materials for construction or other uses. So, a quarry is any such
working on the surface of the earth where minerals are extracted. Quarries are also known by
other names around the world: 'surface mine', ‘pit’, 'open pit' or 'opencast mine'.  Within the
UK, the largest quantity of mineral extracted by quarrying is used for construction and known
as "aggregates".

i) Identification of Project and Project Proponent

M/s Nazir Khan Madri Khan Pathan, is an owner and have applied for quarry
lease for stone metal and stone dust. The applicant has quarry permit for other
leases in Maharashtra and is engaged in supplying various building material.
Communication details of the project proponent are as under;

ii) Brief description of nature of the project

The present Pre Feasibility Report has been prepared for the Stone Quarry over
the area of 2.4 Ha (Survey No. 8) in Village Saphale, Tahsil Palghar, District
Thane, Maharashtra.

INTRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT / BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

1) Identification of Project and Project Proponent

M/s Nazir Khan Madri Khan Pathan, is an owner and have applied for quarry
lease for stone metal and stone dust. The applicant has quarry permit for other
 leases in Maharashtra and is engaged in supplying various building material.
Communication details of the project proponent are as under;

M/s Nazir Khan Madri Khan Pathan

At Village : Saphale,
Taluka: Palghar, District: Thane

2) Brief description of nature of the project

The present Pre Feasibility Report has been prepared for the Stone Quarry over
the area of 2.4 Ha (Survey No. 8) in Village Saphale, Tahsil Palghar, District
Thane, Maharashtra.

In order to obtain environmental clearance as per the EIA Notification 2006 the
prefeasibility report is submitted along with the application Form I for the project
under consideration. The project is categorized as Category B.

III) Need for the project and its importance to the country and or region.
Building material stone metal (Gitti), is an essential requirement as one of the
minor mineral deposits occurring in the majority portion of Maharashtra It has
played a great role in development of civilization and industrialization. The
occurrence of Deccan trap Basalt in the proposed area is proved by the way of
exposures and its production has important role in the local infrastructural
development.

iii) Demand Supply Gap.

It is an essential constituent infrastructural development projects like road, dams,

bridges and building. Its demand in industrial area of Thane, Mumbai and nearby
areas is increasing very fast.

iv) Imports vs. Indigenous production.

Maharashtra is one of the major producers of building stone in the country.

Deccan trap Basalt deposits of Maharashtra are one of the most remarkable in the
country.

v) Export Possibility.

Not explored
vi) Domestic / export Markets.
Domestic market for basalt as building material is well established..
vii) Employment Generation (Direct and Indirect) due to the project.

It is proposed to employ the local population wherever possible in the proposed

project activities. Direct employment will be about 10-12 Persons and the indirect
employment generation shall be approximately 5-10.
 Aim and Objectives

Objectives: The principal objectives of the present work are:

Quarries principally produce sand and gravel and crushed rock for construction and these
materials are usually described as’ aggregates’.
Materials produced by quarries:
 Gypsum
 Salt 

 Potash

 Coal 

 Chemical grade Limestoe

 Common Clays

 China Clay

 Kaolin

 Ball Clays

 Silica sand 

Thus, quarries are often associated with process plants the most important of which are ready-
mixed-concrete plants, coating plants to produce asphalt and bituminous road-making
materials, cement and lime burning kilns, concrete block and pipe works, brick works, pottery
works and plaster/plasterboard factories.
If you are searching for more information on minerals, please take a look at our Minerals
Use page that highlights its importance and how they are used all around us.

The materials produces by quarrying are essential to our everyday lives, providing the
construction materials to build roads and buildings, delivering vital minerals to agriculture and
supporting the generation of electricity – to name just a few uses.
It is tempting to see a quarry as an undesirable ‘hole in the ground’ but we need our quarrying
industry to supply us with vital materials for our economy. Furthermore, we need talented,
professional women and men to operate quarries in a way that is safe, productive and good for
our environment. Our Quarry Garden demonstrates how quarrying supports the environment
and biodiversity whilst our Quarry Trails inspires

Quarrying is an industry with plenty of opportunity and if you join the Institute of Quarrying we
are committed to providing you with training and recognition. If quarrying is something that
has took your interest visit our quarrying faces to see the types of careers available in
quarrying. Moreover, stay abreast with quarrying with our industry articles that cover
comment and insight from people and companies from across the industry.

Scope and Utility of Research: -

i) Type of project including interlinked and Interdependent project, if any.

The proposed project is quarry by opencast method. There is no
interlinked and interdependent project
ii) Location (map showing general location, specific location, and project boundary &
project site layout) with coordinates.
The proposed area is Private Waste land. The area is a small hillock. The location of
proposed is shown in the Figure-1.

Location of
the quarry

THANE

MAHARASHTRA

FIGURE-1: LOCATION OF QUARRY

iii) Details of alternate sites considered and the basis of selecting the proposed site,
particularly the environmental consideration gone into should be highlighted.
The project is a site specific and has to be undertaken at the place of the
occurrence of the mineral and hence no alternative sites explored.
 8

iv) Size or magnitude of operation.

The proposed quarry will be developed as opencast for the production of
stone metal and stone dust of various sizes @ 1000 brass/month.

v) Project description with process details (a schematic diagram/ flow chart showing
the project layout, components of the project etc. should be given).
The area has exposures of Deccan trap basalt. This stone is excellent building
stone as it possess most of the required characteristic. The compact black
stone are quite strong. The applicant has received a Quarry permission from
District Collector, Thane District, Thane. The proposed quarry will be
developed as opencast for the production of Gitti of various size @ stone
metal and stone dust of various sizes @ 1000 brass/month. The quarried
material is being dispatched by road through trucks.

vi) Raw material along with estimated quantity, likely source marketing area of final
products, mode of transport of raw material and Finished product.
There is no requirement of any Raw Material in this project. Mode of
transport of extracted building material is surface transport by existing roads.

vii) Resource optimization / recycling and reuse envisaged in the project, if any,
should be briefly outlined.
There is no waste material generation.

viii) Availability of water its source, Energy / power requirement and

source should be given.
Existing borewell/ dugwell near the premises is adequate to meet the water
requirement. The power supply is available from the State Electricity Board.

ix) Quantity of waste to be generated (liquid and solid) and scheme for their
Management /disposal.
Solid Waste: During initial development of quarry the overburden in form of
eroded basalt has been removed and stored within the premises.
 9

Liquid Effluent: There is no effluent generation. The quarry does not intercept
the water table hence only rain water is accumulated in the pit during
monsoon. Thismay contains silt which is treated at sedimentation sump. The
treated water is used for plantation & dust suppression etc.

x) Schematic representation of the feasibility drawing which give information of EIA

purpose.
Not require.

4 SITE ANALYSIS

i) Connectivity.

The area is approachable from NH -8 at distance about 7 km.

ii) Land use and Land ownership.

The current use of land is waste land with following details the proposed area
is Private waste land and it is marked on the Khasara Map as Map-2 in Form-1

S.No. Survey No. Area in Ha. Type of land

1. 8 2.4 Private waste land
Village: Saphale Tehsil : Palghar District : Thane

iii) Topography (along with map).

The average MSL considered is 40-70 m.

 10

iv) Existing land use pattern (agriculture, non-agriculture, forest, water

bodies (including area under CRZ), shortest distances from the periphery
of the project to periphery of the forest, national park, wild life
sanctuary, eco sensitive areas, water bodies (distance from the HFL of
the river), CRZ. In case of notified industrial area, a copy of the Gazette
notification should be given.

Research Methodology: -
This study shall be used for both doctrinal and non-doctrinal method or general strategies to
undertake the study of the environmental laws of India. These are comparative law method,
policy transfer and lesson drawing approach, a socio-legal approach, and the aid of
interviews with officials involved with formulation of environmental policies and
enforcement of the environmental laws.

Debris from quarries choke Thane creek 

The Bombay high court directed the state to form a committee to inspect sires where illegal
quarrying and excavation of hills was being carried out in Mumbai and Thane. The court had
been hearing a petition filed by the Bombay Environmental Action Group in August last year.

The HC directed the committee — consisting of scientists, professors, BEAG members and
the additional collectors of Mumbai and Thane — to examine whether permissions such as
environmental clearances had been obtained.

“We are aware of quarrying activities at Shilphata. The committee will undertake a site visit
to check whether environment clearances have been obtained,” said Debi Goenka, BEAG,
and a member of the committee. “If a hill is demolished between two hills, the continuity is
lost, which impacts the ground water, percolation, tree cover and natural biodiversity.”

He added that unregulated quarrying was leading to high siltation at Thane creek.
“Construction debris land up at the creek, squeezing it from the edges, which is a major
cause for concern,” he said. “After visiting these sites, we will be able to highlight these
problems as a part of our report.”

Pollution levels 100 times safe limit for stone crushing units 
Forty-seven stone crushing units at Haveli in Pune — responsible for the maximum supply of
crushed sand and stone dust to Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat — are flouting pollution
norms, found central and state pollution control boards. “The pollutant levels of some units
are 100 times the safety standards,” said top pollution board officials.
 11

“It is found that all the monitored units do not comply with the notified emission standard
of 600 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m3). The monitored concentration of SPM varies
from 770 (minimum) to 56,617 (maximum) µg/m3,” read the report by the pollution boards.

Literature Review
Literature review shows that no noticeable work has been done on this issue. Only drafting
and making laws are not sufficient, but to implement the law more effectively will satisfy the
motive. The study of pollution and environmental laws in India requires lot of efforts and
patience.

The proposed Stone Quarry in the 4.5470 Ha area is a new quarry located in the already
established mining area. A number of other Stone Quarries are being operated in the
vicinity of this mining leasehold. While deciding the proposed methodology for
development and working of this quarry, the information / data collated from the adjoining
working quarries have also been taken into consideration. As all the area of the leasehold is
free from human habitation or any other important public utility land, there is no constraint
for undertaking the mining by opencast methodology. Further, choice of the mining
methodology primarily depends on the geo-mining conditions of the deposit and the
expected rate of production from the mine. The leasehold area is having thin cover of
murum soil cover, followed by weathered basalt. The lateritic soil / murrum are also a
marketable commodity. The underlying basalt occurring in the area is jointed and fractured
which would not pose any problem during mining. Thus the prevailing geo-mining
conditions in the proposed 4.5470 Ha mining area warrants use of only opencast mining
methodology.

Hypothesis

CASE STUDIES OF QUARRY MENACE

Thane-Belapur Industrial Belt
 12

“When there is uncontrolled blasting, the minimum distance has to be more than 500m and
despite the advent of technology, most of these quarries are not installing better equipment
for controlled blasting. We faced a horrible situation as the entire industrial belt was
threatened by these activities until it was taken up with the state. Only then, most of these
quarries were moved out. However, the threat looms for other industrial and residential
areas where the 200 m minimum distance is insufficient,” said Jaydevan K, former additional
chief secretary, Thane Belapur Industrial belt (TBIA).

four stone quarries, operating illegally in Thane, were closed by the district administration in
August following orders of the Bombay High Court. The court has also sought details on all
mines operating in the district and on the outskirts of Mumbai.

The orders were passed on a petition that said contractors were flattening the hills by
quarrying stones. The activities are being carried out in an unsafe and unscientific manner,
said the petition by Thane resident and activist, Pradip Chandrakant Indulkar.

There are over 200 quarries in Thane and Jawhar Zone on Mumbai's periphery (see box).
Quarrying is on in three forest sites near Ovale village in Thane. In Bhayandar Pada village,
quarrying has been extended beyond the permissible area, said Indulkar.The mining has
reduced the 400-year-old Nagla Fort, off Ghodbunder Road in Thane, into a heap of stones,
 13

Indulkar said. He said the government agencies failed to act despite repeated complaints. A
2005 report of director of mines safety, Goa region, pointed out that explosives used in the
stone quarries were unsafe for the workers and people living in Thane. The report indicted
six quarry owners; no action was taken. Local media reports said these quarries belong to
politicians.

General scheme of chapterization.

Quarrying methods are classified differently. It is convenient to divide them under two main
headings, namely, quarrying without blasting and quarrying by blasting.

 Selection of Site for Quarrying of Stones.

 Quarrying of Stones Without Blasting.
 The Wedge Method of Quarrying:
 Quarrying by Heating:
 Quarrying of Stones by Blasting.
 Preparation Steps for Stone Quarrying.
Scheme of prospecting.- (1) Every holder of a prospecting licence for marble shall submit to
the State Government or any person authorised in this behalf by that Government within a
period of sixty days from the date of execution of the prospecting licence, a scheme of
prospecting indicating the manner in which he proposes to carry out the prospecting
operation, in the area covered by the licence and the scheme shall incorporate the
following, namely:-
 14

Environmental Effects of Quarrying”

Introduction
For many years, the rate of environmental concerns has been increasing and rampant in the
world specifically in the Thanes. Thanes is known for its natural beauty as well as its
abundant natural resources such as beautiful mountains, untouched islands, riverbanks and
the likes which provide the communities important ecosystem services. And it is
acknowledged for its unique and rich in biodiversity in which rare plants and animals were
found in the country. However, Thanes is also one of the many countries that frequently
experience environmental disasters such as typhoons, landslide, etc. and also affected by
climate change due to the man activities which are not eco-friendly and that contributes to the
negative results and damages to the environment. One of the destructive man-made activities
that is usually conducted in the Thanes is quarrying. Quarrying is a process which remove
stones or construction materials from the land and riverbanks. There are two types of
quarrying, that is, mountain quarrying and river quarrying. Both of them have substantial
negative environmental effects.
Issues on quarrying is still going-on and were discussed in media. In fact, there are issues of
illegal quarrying activity cases all over the country that were reported which has been
operated at the beaches, riverbanks, and mountains in specific regions and rural areas in the
Thanes which caused coastal erosions, floods in seaside communities, even caused accidents
and casualties. Hence, we the researchers want to know what are the impacts of quarrying
because it is important to understand this man activity in order to educate and to give
awareness about its dangers because it is an issue that needs to be addressed because it does
not only harm the environment but it can also damage people’s lives.
See
What do I know about this issue?
In year 2012, it is reported that the number of quarrying firms in the Thanes was higher by
188.2 percent compared the number of quarrying establishments recorded in 2010, hence, the
quarry industry has been growing in the recent years. It cannot be denied that quarrying has
positive effects contributed not just in the Thane economy but also in our daily life, however,
even if quarrying is considered as one of the most important activities in the country, it is also
one of the many reasons why the environment is polluted and not safe to live because
quarrying contributes harmful effects and create significant damages.
Quarrying is an activity wherein the rock, sand, gravel, or other non-metallic rocks that is
from the riverbanks and mountains are being removed to be used as materials for
construction. It is done through an open cast method using explosion of dynamites, rock drills
and other methods. In this activity, some of its important products are rock aggregates also
known as sand and gravel (Martin and Discipulo 1996). Other stones that are also extracted
include sandstone, ironstone, slate, and phosphate rock.
 15

The nature of quarrying process leads to negative environmental consequences both in the
duration of quarrying process and after the quarry site is closed. Quarrying operations can be
done through mountain quarrying and river quarrying. In mountain quarrying, its activity
involves scraping the upland soil and vegetation which destructs the value of the extracted
area. On the other hand, river quarrying, is the common type of quarrying that is done in the
Thanes which extracts sand and gravel. River quarrying transforms the riverbeds into large
and deep pits, as a result, the groundwater table drops leaving the drinking water wells on the
embankments of these rivers dry. Bed degradation from instream quarrying lowers the
elevation of streamflow and the floodplain water table which in turn can eliminate water
table-dependent woody vegetation in riparian areas, and decrease wetted periods in riparian
wetlands. For locations near to the sea, saline water may intrude into the fresh waterbody.
Aside from that, quarrying weakens soil cohesion, widens riverbanks, as well as lowers its
elevation. Also, it makes the deepening of the riverbeds uneven which can cause destruction
to the riverbanks, thus damages the environment. This is supported by the study in Palawan
conducted by Israel et al. (2001), wherein they found out quarrying specifically river
quarrying creates negative impacts to the environment.
These two kinds of quarry operations can more cause pollution, soil erosion, flooding and
siltation. Also, these quarrying activities generate dusts due to their transportation as well as
noise pollution in quarry areas. In addition, some of environmental disruptions which created
by quarrying are produced directly by engineering activities for the duration of aggregate
extraction and processing (Nanor, 2011). Although there are specific impacts of quarrying
that are short-term and easy to expect and observe but still, it is better to be alert and not be
complacent. What have we experienced of this?
In the present time, it cannot be disagreed that quarrying is really helpful in people’s daily
life experience since it provided roads for easy travel access, schools, and other buildings that
are essential for the life of citizens in the country which contributes to the country’s structure
advancement. It also provides job opportunities and it plays a major role in the expansion of
modern economy. However, it is also observed that quarrying activities is a threat to the daily
experiences of human being. According to World Health Organization (1997), one of the
major factors that contribute to poor health and quality of life is a failing environmental
conditions which can hinder viable development and that the quality of the environment is a
crucial direct and indirect factor of human health. Some of the negative effects of quarry can
be experience in everyday life. First, the dust from quarries make the air polluted. The
process of quarry produces hazard chemical vapors and silica dust. Air pollution can cause
possible health complications such as respiratory and cardiovascular problems and among
others. Aside from that, people who are exposed to this can acquire diseases such as silicosis
and pneumoconiosis. Dust from quarrying activities increased the risk of having tuberculosis
and lung cancer. Second, the noise pollution which is one of the complaints of the people
situated close the area. This is usually generated by the transportation, machinery and
blasting that are generated by quarry operations. Other possible quarrying results which are
considered as a concern contain reduced plant growth, land decay, and biodiversity loss.
Given these observations, those people who are living near in quarry sites can directly
experience this and prone to the hazards of this activity.
Who are affected most by this and how?
 16

Quarrying in stream channels mostly affect the environment, the people, and the animals. It
can damage both public and private properties which affects the livelihood of the people
living near the area especially in rural communities wherein the people there primarily
depend on the natural resources of their environment. Also, it can kill people and caused
severe accidents due to deadly landslides. Some of the major environmental negative effects
by quarrying activities include devastation of vegetation, soil erosion, river siltation, dust
pollution, and landslide. In 2018, it is reported that quarrying operations in seven regions in
the Thanes were temporarily closed because an island in Cebu City close to a limestone
quarry was affected by a landslide triggered by typhoon Mangkhut which killed
approximately 29 people and some were trapped under the debris. This alone served as a
warning that quarry operation is indeed deadly and harmful.
A research by Stehouwer et al. (2006) stated that arable lands are damaged and the rate of
erosion processes rises due to quarrying activities because it uses great pressure on limited
soil and water resources. Quarrying does not only affect people but it also disturbs wild
animals because quarrying activities disrupts and create damages to animal habitats wherein
the clearing land that is used to develop accessible roads as well as the opening up of quarry
sites caused the demolition of their homes. Aside from that, quarrying activities affect the
river’s water quality which include increased short-term turbidity at the quarry site because of
resuspension of sediment, sedimentation due to stockpiling and dumping of excess mining
materials and organic particulate matter, and oil spills or leakage from excavation machinery
and transportation vehicles. Also, the transmission of dust from the quarry site to the surface
of the water can cause contamination, thus affects the daily living of the people residing near
the river as well as destroys and kills the marine species in the river since the dust contains
active minerals which changes water chemistry (Banez et al, 2010). Quarrying can also lead
to flooding wherein inadequate drainage for the water from the quarry site to vacate which
productive land might be affected to flood and these huge tracks of water that will
accumulate to nearby communities may serve as a possible source of water-vectored and
water-based diseases which are threats to the health of the people.
This environmental issue may not be known to everyone but quarrying is considered as one
of the most dangerous activities that affects the lives of the many. According to Lad and
Samant (2013) that this activity leaves significant long-term economic, social, and
environmental marks. The increase rate of quarrying activities is related to the social
challenges that the community has been facing including health and safety threats,
communities being displaced, the damages of cultural sites, and villages that are used for the
formation of quarry sites.
How has the issue arisen?
Due to the arising demands from the development and operation activities and population
expansion, quarrying operations has become a crucial component of the Thane economy and
structure advancement because it is helpful for the construction of the roads and
infrastructures especially in the remote areas in provinces who do not have access and in the
quarrying industry, on the other hand, this activity has become an issue because it has placed
the country’s environment under threat. Aside from that, there are illegal quarrying activities
that were conducted in specific regions of the country without permission from Mines and
Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and that caused negative impacts to the environment and put the
lives of so many people at risk. This issue has risen due to the needs of quarrying industry
 17

wherein there is a need for producing structures and buildings. With that, there are many
companies which opened quarries and performed this activity in the country especially in
remote places wherein most of them do not have the required permits. For instance, in
October 2016, a raid by NBI on quarry sites were found illegally operating which results in
cancellation of their Environmental Clearance Certificates. Despite being banned and
suspended for its adverse environmental consequences, companies that conduct illegal
quarrying activities still continue which made this issue even bigger and worse. A study by
Israel et al. (2001) about the quarrying in Palawan, found that there are numerous of illegal
quarry operators that are present. Illegal quarrying is unfavorable especially to the
environment because illegal operators worsen the condition of the environment through
violating rules in quarrying such as collecting aggregates in rivers and conducting quarrying
operations to environmentally sensitive areas.
This issue has become a serious problem and quite alarming because although there are
existing environmental laws in the Thanes and the fact that these are implemented, yet, illegal
quarrying persists because of the lack of efforts in supervision by the authorities, and the
strict requirement for rehabilitation of quarries, as well as the failure to create repairing or
post-quarrying programs that will minimize its hostile impacts to the environment. Moreover,
it has been observed that most quarrying sites were left without being rehabilitated after the
closure of quarrying operations in many progressing countries (Darwish et al., 2010). If these
problems and the quarrying operations will not be regulated, there is no doubt that this
environmental concern will grow into a more serious problem which will be a threat to
Filipino lives.
Judge
Economic Factor
What influence does economics have on this issue?
In the Thanes, quarrying has been known and still going on for so many years for it made
positive economic impacts which strengthens the general economic development of the
country especially that the current administration supports the infrastructure program or the
“build-build-build” program wherein construction materials are really needed that resulted to
the robust development of quarrying industry. Quarrying plays a vital part in the economic
growth of the country. According to Cerilles (1999), nature is the primary provider in terms
of resources and it has been observed that the economic development in a region lies on the
resource extractive industries such as quarrying. It is recorded that from year 1985 until 1998,
the average production of sand and gravel annually is valued around P4 billion.
 18

In an article in Rappler (2013), a renowed economist, Nouriel Roubini stated that the
quarrying division will be a vital source of the economic development for the Thanes in the
future. However, it was reported that in the fourth quarter of the year 2012, the quarrying
sector has contributed only 0.2% to the total economy which lessen the Gross Domestic
Product by 0.1%. But recently, quarrying has improved wherein it accelerated from 5.4%
growth to 10.0% growth in the fourth quarter of 2018. The main factor and contributed to this
growth include stone quarrying, clay and sandpits, non-metallic mining etc.
Who controls the resources (natural and human resources, manufactured goods and money)
involved?
The natural resources that are the source of quarry operations are mostly found in the rural
areas of the Thanes. And these resources are under the control of the Thane government. In
such ways that the government set the environmental standards of the country. It controls the
land that the citizens use especially lands that involved in quarry operations and has the
power to allow specific industries that would conduct business activities such as quarrying. In
addition, there have been environmental laws that were implemented by the national
government to regulate and to control the natural resources in the provinces of the country. In
the Thanes, the Local Government Code of 1991, delegated power, responsibility as well as
the resources to the local government. But, sectors such as the Department of Environment
and Natural Resource (DENR) still regulates and leads in terms of managing the natural
resources. For the meantime, in specific regions of the country, the provincial and municipal
governments have limited role in managing the resources.
Who benefits economically from this situation?
In the present situation, it is an advantage to the development of Thane economy. Quarrying
operations generates huge amount of income avenue which is helpful to the country’s
economic growth. The implication of the increase of income is that more money is added in
the local economy and this money can be an investment for the development of
infrastructures which helps in developing the community welfare. In the Thanes, it is showed
that quarry operation all over the country have made production sales of P13.72 million
which contributed in excise tax by P274,441.39 in 2003. Also, quarrying creates job
opportunities wherein it helps the unemployment rate decreases which contribute directly to
 19

the local economy. Through quarrying, it gives and improves the livelihood of the citizen
especially in rural areas which lessens rural poverty. According to Ibrahim (2007), in
Southeast Asia, the natural resources plays an important role in the employment conditions of
the people because in progressing countries, the formal sectors have a very small potential in
terms of job opportunities, thus, the informal divisions is so far, the better alternative for
attaining livelihood needs.
Who suffers?
Yet, given these economic advantages, it is important to note that it puts the environment at
risk. The negative impacts to the environment outweighs the benefits of quarrying operations.
A study conducted by Israel et al. (2001) confirmed that both the quarrying sites and
the households near the area believed that they were suffering ill deficiencies due to
quarrying activities. Aside from that, the workers in quarry companies suffer from the
negative impacts of the health due to this activity. Moreover, one of the major problems in
this issue is that, while the companies that owned quarrying sites gained the biggest share and
benefited from quarrying operations do not consider the communities that are affected and
suffered from the negative effects of this kind of project. If these quarrying issues will not be
addressed, it will continue to cause severe environmental and health problems. Thus, it is
important to know which is more worth the risk, the economic development or environment
safety?
Political Factor
What influence does politics have on this issue?
The government has different roles in environmental matter. It is their role to protect the
environment and its natural resources and to make sure that the environmental activities are
for sustainable use wherein its benefits are equally distributed to the citizens as well as to
protect the properties of people living near the quarry sites especially in the indigenous
communities.
Politics influence environmental legislations that can be either positive or negative. And that,
there is a controversial issue that there is a hint of influence by politics on quarrying
operations which affects the environment negatively. Some government sectors failed to
regulate quarry operations and failed to thoroughly check the legal permits of quarry owner
which makes illegal quarrying activities continue and operate. In quarrying, companies still
need to file permits in order for them to legally quarry out minerals of the city. In filing
permits, they need to be approved and signed by the government, this then becomes the
problem. Numerous companies have connections within the government, connections that
equal to either friendship or money or both that may lead to approving the said companies’
quarrying permits without going through the correct processes, processes wherein the State is
responsible of promoting their rational exploration, development, utilization and conservation
of the environment and protect the rights of affected communities. One miss of the process
may lead to destruction of our environment without us knowing because they were legally
approved. Aside from that, some of the government officials who are coordinating with the
business sectors are involved in corruption especially in local government wherein they allow
illegal quarry operations because they can benefit large amount of shares that they acquire in
this activity together with their business partners.
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Who has the critical decision-making power in this situation?

In this situation, the national government plays the crucial role in making critical decisions
regarding this environmental issue. It is their role to take the initiative steps for the
improvement of the environment because they have to decide what efficient environmental
laws that are to be implemented in order to regulate quarrying activities and prevent the abuse
of quarry operators. However, due to subjectivity when it comes to decision making, political
interests have become vested in this issue which will lead cases of corruption that involves
government officials.
Aside from the national government, the environmental sector of the Thanes which is the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also takes part on this issue
wherein efforts must be exerted for strict monitoring and implementation of rules to ensure
that the quarry operators will not exceed the permissible limit of volume of aggregates. In
that way, violators will be identified and penalized, thus prevent illegal operations that are
harmful to the environment.
Who benefits?
Benefits of quarrying include increase of employment rate of the country. According to the
Thane Statistics Authority (PSA), in 2016, with a total of 130 mining and quarrying
establishments, there are 28,992 who are employed under this sector. 11.1% of these people
or 3,190 of them are employed under quarrying of stone, sand and clay. The city also benefits
from quarrying. In Davao City, quarrying taxes contribute to the city’s annual income by
10%. However, there are those establishments who quarry illegally, leaving the city with a
loss of 50% of their potential income. Aside from that, corrupt government officials who are
in great power and the business sectors can benefit to this situation because they can
manipulate and control the resources and quarry operations.
Who suffers?
However, those who suffer are the ones who live along these lands that these companies
destroy through quarrying. Especially indigenous communities that live along these lands
wherein they are usually get displaced from their own land to make way for the big
companies.
Theological Reflection
Religious Values
What are religious and values that seem to be at stake in this problem, issue or injustice?
In today’s time, the powerful means of transformation by technological civilization and
infrastructure advancement seems to have conflict between man’s interests and the
environment that reached into a critical point wherein religious values are forgotten and not
being exercised in protecting the environment and addressing this issue. Aside from that, the
environment as ‘resource' risks threatening the environment as ‘home'.
Religious values ought to be a strong factor in environmental concern since religions provide
a view on how human beings should relate to other living creatures (Tucker and Grim, 2003).
One of the most important religious values that seems to be at risk in this problem is the value
of respect and care to our common home. According to Pope Francis (2015), that “We need
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to see, with the eyes of faith, the link between the natural environment and the dignity of the
human person.” Due to the lack of respect and care to the environment, personal interests of
the people behind the quarry industries have prevailed over the negative environmental
consequences that affect the lives of many people especially the poor because they are the
ones who are really affected by this injustice. Since the natural world or the environment does
not exist just to sustain human needs, but it has value in itself that should be protected and
taken care of by people living in it -us. Because a clean and viable future that is for everyone
lies on how we value and respect the environment and thus, this can only be achieved by the
participation of everyone.
What beliefs and values lead you to say, “Things shouldn’t be this way.”
In this environmental issue, wherein our common home is abused and mistreated, everything
is connected, even the economy and politics. The selfishness of some individuals who
conduct destructive activities to the environment for the sake of gaining wealth has brought
injustice to people especially to the poor who are usually the victims of the negative
environmental effects such as typhoons, climate change, and landslide. The blind pursuit of
wealth and earthly things can put aside the interests of the marginalized which is connected to
the destruction of the planet. This selfishness has led to the vanishing of the principle of the
common good which destroys not only the environment but also us and this is not the right
way. According to Patriarch Bartholomew, that “For human beings, to destroy the biological
diversity of God’s creation; for human beings to degrade the integrity of the earth by causing
changes in its climate, by stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands;
for human beings to contaminate the earth’s waters, its land, its air, and its life – these are
sins”. It is a sin against God and to ourselves if we are to commit crime against the natural
world or the environment.
In addition, from a religious perspective, the principle of Laudato Si which means Praise be
to you, is an approach to this environmental problem and the new Encyclical on the care of
our common home by Pope Francis. It serves as a reminder to everyone that the Earth is our
common and we should be responsible to our actions and we should be protecting our home
since the destruction of our environment is a serious problem not only because God has
entrusted the world to us but also our life is a gift from God which must be defended from
different forms of ruination. Saint John Paul II said, “Christians in their turn realize that their
responsibility within creation, and their duty towards nature and the Creator, are an essential
part of their faith.” Since human beings always interact with the creation of God such as the
environment, thus it is our duty to protect and safeguard our common home in order flourish
and nurture what God has given to us, not the other way around.
Church History and Tradition
In the course of its long history, has the community of faith been faced before with the
challenges raised by this issue? When?
In 2010, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Thanes (CBCP) urged Benigno Simeon
“Noynoy” Aquino III to impose a moratorium on quarrying and mining once he assumes
office. Fr. Edwin Gariguez does not see development in communities wherein quarrying
operations were present. He also called for changes in the quarrying and mining policy. He
said the current national policy favors foreign corporations and focuses on uncontrolled entry
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of investments, unmindful of the environment and the rights and well-being of the affected
communities.
Unfortunately, he said the outgoing Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration had even
pushed the lopsided policy to the brink, “putting the lives of many people at risk.”
Action
What needs to be done to resolve this situation?
Quarrying is very rampant in the Thanes. And this problem is multi-faceted wherein there are
actors in both sides who will be gainers and losers. But, it should be involved if the
environment is protected at the same time contribute to the economy.
To prevent quarrying, first, manufacturers must increase the efficiency of manufacturing
where they would use concrete. In our present time, concrete is greatly needed in the
production of structures. Second, we must find a way to reduce the consumption of concrete,
but since concrete has been a staple of construction, we must at least minimize its usage to
keep quarrying into a minimum. Third, quarrying companies must improve their
environmental performance like reducing their emissions and being responsible in conducting
quarry operations since they deal with the environment and if the environment is destroyed, it
will also kill us, humans.
What can I/we/my school do?
As students, we can help in solving this situation by being an advocate in reducing quarrying
activities as well as educate everyone about the silent dangers of quarrying. We can do that
by limiting our use of concrete in building structures and instead find alternatives that can
have the same effectiveness as the concrete. For all of us, we can help this situation by being
responsible to always think that the earth is our only home. We can reduce the use of concrete
and instead use new innovations like eco bricks and other eco-friendly building materials. For
the school, they should help by spreading awareness among students, faculty, staff, and
everyone that sand quarrying is very dangerous and we can help reduce sand quarrying by
being responsible users.
How will your action change those involved?
Our actions can change those involved in quarrying by hopefully making them realize and
aware them that even though we need concrete, we must not perform quarrying excessively.
Instead, creating rehabilitation programs after doing quarrying operations.
How can you tell if it is successful?
It will be successful if illegal quarrying operations are minimized as well as the harmful
effects of it are greatly reduced wherein disasters only caused minimal damages. Aside from
that, it will be a success if it also contributes to the economy while recovery programs after
quarrying operations will be conducted.
References
Amistad et al. (2008). Characterizing the Environmental Effects of the Quarrying Industry:
The Case of Strategic Quarry Sites in the Ilocos Region. UNP Research Journal Vol. XVII.
 23

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/
rc_pc_justpeace_do c_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html?
fbclid=IwAR2SBMw0YEWHqExOG4rYYwvUFo5nVqCpQ0n3aJ0D7edfqAZeCKjyZex421
c#I. %20BIBLICAL%20ASPECTS
Corporatewatch.org. (2019). The matrix of the Thane mining industry – Corporate Watch.
[online] Available at: https://corporatewatch.org/the-matrix-of-the-Thane-mining-industry/
[Accessed 4 Feb. 2019].
Earthjustice. (2019). Stopping Extraction and Mining. [online] Available at:
https://earthjustice.org/climate-and-energy/stopping-coal/extraction [Accessed 4 Feb. 2019].
For Development Studies.
http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/stricter-monitoring-on-illegal-quarry-operation-ordered-
in-davao/
http://www.mgb.gov.ph/images/stories/MIN_DAO_1996-40.pdf
http://www.psa.gov.ph/content/2016-annual-survey-Thane-business-and-industry-aspbi-
mining-and-quarrying-sector-total
Israel, D. (2001). The Silent Dangers of Quarrying. Thane Institute
Lad R. K. & Samant J. S. (2014). Environmental and Social Impacts of Stone Quarrying – a
Case Study of Kolhapur District. International Journal of Current Research, Vol. 6, Issue 03,
pp.5664-5669. ISSN:0975-833X
Nene, N. J. (2011). Assessment of the Effects of Quarrying Activities on Some Selected
Communities in the Lower Manya Krobo District. University of Ghana. Retrieved from
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh
Salamat, M. (2014, January 13). Black sand mining: Eroding livelihoods, destroying
communities. Retrieved from https://www.bulatlat.com/2013/09/18/black-sand-mining-
eroding-livelihoods-destroying-communities/
Appendix
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February 14, 2019

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February 18, 2019

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February 21, 2019