The Parasnath hill and the Jain temples. Picture by Shahnawaz Akhtar

Giridih, July 23: Mining, legal or otherwise, is no longer just a geological problem at the Parasnath hill. Frequent tree-felling and soil erosion have given the issue a religious angle.

Geologists and environmentalists warn that if no concrete steps are taken to stop misuse of the mountain within 50 years, there would be a significant threat to the 4,431ft Parasnath hill.

Parasnath hill hold special significance for Jains as 23 of their tirthankars (religious saints who they worship), including Parsva or Parsvanath, attained nirvana on the hill. There is a shrine for each of the tirthankars on the hill.

Environmentalist U.C. Mehta said the life of the mountain is decreasing fast thanks to the way trees are being cut down frequently.

One of the problems is the construction of the Grand Trunk Road, which passes beside the hill. The road has been under construction for four years, and stones and soil from the hill are being used for the construction.

President of Jain Swetamber Society Kamal Singh Rampuriar told The Telegraph over phone from Calcutta: “We will ask the government for a survey to get exact data of the hill’s height and also to take necessary steps to maintain the condition of the hill.”

Deepak Kumar, a geologist at Vinobha Bhave University, said: “Any form of mining is dangerous for the hill.”

The hill has also been a research centre for specialists making life-saving drugs, he added. Several medicinal plants grow on the hill.

“We do not know what plants are used for what purpose. It just gives us some money so we uproot and sell them,” said tribal Teklal Murmu, on his way to get some medicinal leaves.

The hill also holds importance for the Santhals who assemble here every Baisakh for a three-day religious hunt.

Since Parasnath has been declared a wildlife sanctuary, the district administration and forest officials are trying to persuade the local tribals to give up hunting.