Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Ramesh Warns Against Rajasthan Mine Near Bustard Habitat
The Great Indian Bustard is a bird that is in serious danger of disappearing.
Jairam Ramesh said it needs stronger protection.
His comments followed an early approval step for an UltraTech Cement limestone mine in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
The proposed mine would be more than 400 hectares in size.
It would be about 5.8 kilometers from an important habitat for the bird.
UltraTech says it would use water sprinkling and filters to reduce dust and limit disturbance.
The company has faced allegations that similar protections were not properly used at another Rajasthan mine.
The National Green Tribunal ordered pollution-control measures at that other site.
The disagreement is about whether the new mine can operate without harming the bird, the environment or local people.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard needs proactive protection.
UltraTech Cement’s proposed limestone mine in Joga village, Jaisalmer, would cover more than 400 hectares.
The project is 5.8 kilometers from a designated Great Indian Bustard priority area and includes a stone-crushing unit.
The Environment Ministry’s expert appraisal committee recommended granting the project terms of reference on September 10.
UltraTech proposed water sprinkling, bag filters and reduced disturbance, while facing allegations over environmental compliance at another Rajasthan site.
- Who
- Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, UltraTech Cement Limited, the Union environment ministry’s expert appraisal committee and the Great Indian Bustard are central to the report.
- What
- UltraTech Cement’s proposed limestone mine received a recommendation for terms of reference despite concerns about its possible effect on a nearby Great Indian Bustard priority area.
- When
- The expert appraisal committee made its recommendation on September 10, and the reports were published on September 22.
- Where
- The proposed mine is in Joga village in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, 5.8 kilometers from a Great Indian Bustard priority area.
- Why
- Ramesh criticized the project because he said the critically endangered bird needs proactive protection rather than projects that could threaten it further.
Conservation concerns
Proposed project safeguards
Effect on the Great Indian Bustard
Conservation concerns
Jairam Ramesh said the most critically endangered Great Indian Bustard needs proactive protection, not projects that may threaten it further.
Proposed project safeguards
UltraTech Cement has proposed dust suppression, bag filters and measures to minimize disturbance near the priority area.
Environmental compliance
Conservation concerns
The company has been accused of failing to implement similar protections at its over-500-hectare Kotputli-Behror site; the National Green Tribunal held it responsible for environmental damage and health hazards there.
Proposed project safeguards
UltraTech’s new project has so far received a recommendation for terms of reference, which set the scope and requirements for its environmental impact assessment; the company’s response to the allegations was awaited.
- Proposed project
- UltraTech Cement limestone mine in Joga village, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
- Project area
- More than 400 hectares
- Distance from priority area
- 5.8 kilometers
- Limestone capacity
- One million tonnes per annum
- Stone-crusher capacity
- 1,500 tonnes per hour
- Proposed safeguards
- Water sprinkling, bag filters and minimized disturbance in adjoining areas
- Earlier tribunal orders
- Nighttime blasting restrictions, tarpaulin covering, water spraying, bag filters, vacuum suction hoods and dry fogging at the Kotputli-Behror site
