ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSSMENT OF CEMENT INDUSTRY ON LAND, WATER AND TERRESTRIAL FLORA
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Date
2011
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ABSTRACT
Studies on environmental impact assessment of cement industry on land, water and terrestrial flora was conducted during the
year 2010-11 at the vicinity of Gujrat Ambuja Cement plant with the objectives to determine the impact of mining activities on
land, water and terrestrial flora and to develop a suitable environmental management plan. The Gujrat Ambuja Cement plant is
located at Darlaghat, district Solan of Himachal Pradesh. The study area in 2 km radius from the center of the cement industry
was selected. It involved eight villages. All Eight villages within 2 km radius were selected for the study. Out of these six lies
around the cement plant and two near mining site. Impact of cement plant on area under different land use system, surface water
resources, production trend and nutrient status of agriculture and horticulture crops along with the nutrient status of soil was
studied. Detailed surveys of native flora were done in each village adopting walk and transact (Quadrat) method. Three sample
plots of 0.1 hectare were laid in each village at different sites randomly for analyzing structural and functional parameter of trees,
shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. In each sample plot, one sub-plot of size 10m×10m and 50cm×50cm to study and herbaceous
vegetation. Various phyto-sociological parameters (basal area, frequency, density, IVI, similarity and diversity index) were
studied.The loss of cultivated land resulted in reduction of area under different crops that was found to affect the farm income
from agricultural crops. Among all the eight villages, maximum loss was observed in Suli village in respect of all studied
parameters and minimum loss was observed in Darlaghat and Bahan. Sewage water of colony contained high range of pH, COD,
TDS and TSS. The water was recycled by sewage treatment plant in colony itself. pH of the soil was alkaline in nature and
organic carbon in agriculture, pasture and horticulture soils was also medium to high. Available N,P and K in the soils was also
in medium to high range and all the land use system. Acquisition of land by industry resulted in vegetation loss. Among Native
flora Punica granatum and Pinus roxburghii were the most dominant and Leucas aspera, Jatropa sp. and Caesalpina pulcherima
were the least dominant species among herbs, shrubs and tree. Maximum diversity of vegetation was recorded in village
Kanswala, and minimum in Suli. In nut shell the area located near the cement industry affected more as compared to area away
from industry. Same was the case with mining area.