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Divakar Samadhiya
Dr. Kavita Yadav
Keywords:
Contaminated soil, Red sandstone mines, Soil assessment, Vegetation health, Heavy metals, Mining pollution, Land degradation, Mine waste, Sustainable remediation.
Abstract:
The Karauli district of Rajasthan, spread over 5,043 square kilometres, represents an area of remarkable geological diversity and mineral wealth. Surrounded by the districts of Dholpur, Bharatpur, Dausa and Sawai Madhopur, Karauli is particularly known for its rich red sandstone deposits, which have supported extensive quarrying and mining for decades. The sandstone in the district, characterized by its fine texture and reddish-brown colour, forms the backbone of local industry and architecture, and contributes significantly to the state's economy. Along with this economic prosperity, however, Karauli has faced increasing environmental challenges - primarily soil pollution, vegetation degradation and contamination of water bodies - resulting from unregulated mining and limited environmental management. Within this broader framework, the red sandstone quarries of Karauli exemplify the tension between economic development and environmental sustainability. Extraction processes involving blasting, quarrying and transport disturb the natural soil profile, accumulate heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and chromium and expose surrounding ecosystems to pollution. These pollutants negatively affect soil fertility, reduce vegetation health and threaten agricultural productivity in nearby rural settlements.
The review article focuses specifically on the assessment of environmental impacts of sandstone mining in the Karauli region. It highlights Rajasthan's extensive quarrying activities and emphasizes the need for sustainable mining to protect soil and vegetation health. The study adopts a mixed methods approach, integrating quantitative techniques such as soil sampling, laboratory testing and statistical analysis with qualitative observations of field and ecological conditions. The selected study area, Bhauapura-Ratiapura, , Kasara, Chobe ki Guwari, Mokanpura- Berda , Bhakari and control sites such as Suroth in Karauli. has been analyzed for its soil composition and vegetation response to heavy metal pollution. Various chemical and analytical techniques are used to determine the concentrations and forms of metals such as lead, chromium and cadmium. Data interpretation reveals the extent of pollution and its impact on the local ecological balance. Comparative tables provide a clear understanding of metal distribution and bioavailability in soil samples. This article reviews previous literature on sandstone mining and its environmental impacts. Finally, it concludes by recommending continued monitoring, eco-rehabilitation and sustainable practices to reduce soil erosion and preserve vegetation health in the red sandstone mining areas of Rajasthan.
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International Journal of Recent Research and Review
ISSN: 2277-8322
Vol. XVIII, Issue 3
September 2025
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PUBLISHED
September 2025
ISSUE
Vol. XVIII, Issue 3
SECTION
Articles
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