Environmental and Health Impacts of Cement Industry
Sachin Soni, K.P. Dandge
School of Environmental and Earth Sciences, K.B.C.N.M.U. Jalgaon.
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Abstract
An integrated development of the nation is very much desirable to ensure food, health and economic security for all the people of the country. Development projects should go on but it should not create ecological imbalance, because destruction of environment poses serious threat to the survival of human race. However, the factors such as population explosion, rapid industrialization, over exploitation of natural resources, increased transportation etc. have resulted in change of climatic conditions, depletion of ozone layer, increase in air, water and noise pollution. Under proper Environmental Management Plan, the adverse environmental effects of development projects can be mitigated to a great extent. Industrialization is recognized as the backbone for development. Availability of resources coupled with infrastructural facilities, accelerate industrial growth.
The cement sector notably plays a critical role in the economic growth of the country and its journey towards conclusive growth. Cement is vital to the construction sector and all infrastructural projects. The construction sector alone constitutes about 5-7 per cent of the country's gross domestic product. The industry occupies an important place in the Indian economy because of its strong linkages to other sectors such as construction, transportation, coal and power.
The Environmental impact assessment has been carried out to assess the existing base line environmental scenario of the area and based on the activities of proposed grinding unit, environmental management plan has been suggested. The plan will identify and address the impacts and design imitative measures to manage such impacts in a manner as to conserve environment and ecology of the area. The EMP has been prepared with a view to ultimately ensure that the adverse impacts can be minimized if these cannot be prevented altogether.
