Mining in the Himalayas: An Integrated Strategy

Himalaya, the world's most prominent mountain system of the world is a source of sustainence for the social, cultural and economic development of population across different countries. Unscientific, small-scale mining for harnessing reounrces including minerals has caused ecosystem damage. Therefore, an integrated and holistic approach to deal with the resource management is required. This book makes a focussed effort to explain how mining in the Himalaya is practiced with discussions pertaining to critiques and lacunas of mining and environmental practices. Status of mining practices in Himalaya is included along with the legal/environmental repercussions of mining.

Dr. Soni graduated in Mining Engineering from Ravishankar University, Raipur,Chattisgarh in 1983 and completed his post

graduation from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani and Ph. D. in Environmental Science and Engineering

from Centre of Mining Environment, Indian School of Mines (ISM) , Dhanbad in 1998. He was awarded William Greenwoood

Scholarship of Association of Geo-Scientists for International Development (AGID), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

He has served Coal India Limited (at SECL subsidiary) and Department of Mining Engineering, Government Engineering College,

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) before joining CMRI as scientist in 1987. Thus, he has 30 years experience in field, teaching and research for

various areas of environment and sub-surface sciences.

He has visited USA and U.K. in connection with research work and widely traveled across the country. Dr.A.K.Soni is currently

Head of CIMFR (Unit -1) Nagpur office and engaged in research in mine environment and allied areas. He has wide exposure of

administration too in S&T / R&D filed. His area of interest for research is “Geo-hydrological problems related to mines”. In the past,

he was associated with development of eco-friendly techniques of mineral extraction and has worked for R&D in the area of

“Environmental Management in Fragile / Sensitive Areas with particular reference to mining operations and hill type areas (

Himalaya)”. He has developed ‘Environmental Degradation Index (EDI)’ for applications in mining in ecologically fragile areas and

has special interest in policy issues on mining and environment.

Actively associated with technical and professional organizations and societies e.g. Institution of Engineers (India), Mining

Engineers Association of India (MEAI), International Mine water Association (IMWA) and Association of Geo-scientists for

International Development (AGID). To his credit, he has more than 100 technical publications on environmental related topics in

national and international journals, conference proceedings, workshops monographs, books etc. in Hindi and in English and has

handled nearly 100 R&D projects in the capacity of principal investigator and principal co-ordinator. He has received best R&D

paper award from nationally accredited technical society viz. Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS) in 2003 and best citizen award in

2006.