<p>Rampant illegal mining in Rajasthan has taken a heavy toll on Chittorgarh fort, a World Heritage Site, and prominent tourist destinations like Menal waterfalls in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Leaders of the ruling BJP have alleged that cracks have appeared in 1,000-year-old Chittorgarh fort, while the 11 AD Shiv temple at Menal waterfall may also collapse due to illegal mining in nearby areas. <br /><br />The issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, where Union Minister of State for Mines Vishnu Deo Sai said such cases are on constant rise in Rajasthan despite issuance of guidelines.<br />Admitting to the facts, state Mines Minister Raj Kumar Rinwa blamed the previous government for promoting mining activity in Chittorgarh, despite a complete ban imposed by the Rajasthan High Court. <br /><br />“Chittorgarh fort is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and mining is damaging it. The Rajasthan High court had banned all mining activity within a radius of 10 km of Chittorgarh. Unfortunately, the previous government filed an SLP in Supreme Court against the decision. They also presented a fictitious report that said cracks in the fort appeared due to tourist arrivals and monkeys living in the fort premises,” said Rinwa. <br /><br />This is the same fort where queen Padmani committed Johar (self-immolation) with all her aides after Alauddin Khilji, sultan of Delhi, defeated her husband Rana Ratan Singh in order to take her for himself. <br /><br />According to Chittorgarh MLA Chandrabhan Singh, the cracks have appeared in the Kumbha Mahal and Vjay Stambh monuments inside the fort. <br /><br />Similar allegations were levelled by Begu constituency legislator Suresh Dhakkar, who informed the House that the Shiv Temple on Menal waterfall in the Bhilwara district might collapse any time due to illegal mining around the site. <br /><br />The state government has now announced a Cabinet subcommittee to look into the matter. It may face some hurdles, as several corporate houses are also engaged in mining activities in these areas, having been allotted the mines on lease that will end in 2017. </p>
<p>Rampant illegal mining in Rajasthan has taken a heavy toll on Chittorgarh fort, a World Heritage Site, and prominent tourist destinations like Menal waterfalls in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Leaders of the ruling BJP have alleged that cracks have appeared in 1,000-year-old Chittorgarh fort, while the 11 AD Shiv temple at Menal waterfall may also collapse due to illegal mining in nearby areas. <br /><br />The issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, where Union Minister of State for Mines Vishnu Deo Sai said such cases are on constant rise in Rajasthan despite issuance of guidelines.<br />Admitting to the facts, state Mines Minister Raj Kumar Rinwa blamed the previous government for promoting mining activity in Chittorgarh, despite a complete ban imposed by the Rajasthan High Court. <br /><br />“Chittorgarh fort is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and mining is damaging it. The Rajasthan High court had banned all mining activity within a radius of 10 km of Chittorgarh. Unfortunately, the previous government filed an SLP in Supreme Court against the decision. They also presented a fictitious report that said cracks in the fort appeared due to tourist arrivals and monkeys living in the fort premises,” said Rinwa. <br /><br />This is the same fort where queen Padmani committed Johar (self-immolation) with all her aides after Alauddin Khilji, sultan of Delhi, defeated her husband Rana Ratan Singh in order to take her for himself. <br /><br />According to Chittorgarh MLA Chandrabhan Singh, the cracks have appeared in the Kumbha Mahal and Vjay Stambh monuments inside the fort. <br /><br />Similar allegations were levelled by Begu constituency legislator Suresh Dhakkar, who informed the House that the Shiv Temple on Menal waterfall in the Bhilwara district might collapse any time due to illegal mining around the site. <br /><br />The state government has now announced a Cabinet subcommittee to look into the matter. It may face some hurdles, as several corporate houses are also engaged in mining activities in these areas, having been allotted the mines on lease that will end in 2017. </p>
