The approach road to a cement factory in Gomtu, Bhutan. The road is flanked by tea estates, which are affected by dolomite dust. Picture by Biplab Basak

Siliguri, Oct. 31: The Bhutan government has decided to shut down two of the five dolomite mining units located on its border with India, which has for years expressed concern about their adverse effect on the ecology.

“India has been pursuing the matter for the past 20 years, pointing out the problems dolomite mining have created on this side of the border,” said B.L. Meena, the divisional commissioner of Jalpaiguri.

“The Bhutan government recently wrote to me and the Bengal government to say that two of the five mine-cum-factories operating on the border would be closed down soon.”

Dolomite mining on the Bhutan foothills have led to a rise in the riverbeds of the Titi, Reti, Sukriti, Pagli and Torsha, which flow down to north Bengal from the hill kingdom. The dolomite dust also causes water pollution.

“Around 50-60 tea estates in the Dooars located close to the border have been affected by the mines. Dolomite dust covers the plantations and affects soil fertility,” said N.K. Basu, principal adviser, Indian Tea Planters’ Association.

Though Indian officials had been raising the problem at the border district coordination meetings for years, a more cohesive effort was made just a couple of months ago when they presented a detailed picture of the situation at a bipartite meet held in Darjeeling.

This followed a joint visit to the dolomite mining units of Bhutan on September 25-26.

“Standing at the units, we made it clear that dolomite mining is threatening the flora and fauna of Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and Buxa Tiger Reserve, both located near the border,” said S.B. Patel, the chief conservator of forests (north Bengal). Patel, along with Meena, was part of the Indian team.

Indian officials have appreciated the initiative taken by Bhutan, but as Meena put it, the problem will linger because three more dolomite units remain operational. “The Bhutanese authorities have said discussions on these units would be held at the bipartite meeting slated in Thimphu between November 17 and 20,” he added.

Most of the dolomite excavated in Bhutan is bought by Indian companies to produce cement.