PLANNING FOR KMML INDUSTRIAL AREA AND ITS AFFECTED REGIONS

Abstract

The study aims to understand and provide necessary planning solutions on the impacts of KMML, a public sector that plays a key role in the economic development of India. The research area is delineated based on secondary data such as those from the EIA NGT, IDDP and Disaster management reports as well as the degree of industrial impact from the pilot study. A comprehensive framework on planning for heavy industrial area was developed with its parameters and indicators analysed from various literature. This framework is later used in the study to analyse KMML industrial area and it’s affected regions and to identify the major impacts of the industry in its surrounding built environment. Further validation was done with a primary survey with local community residing surrounding KMML industrial area to identify the opportunities and challenges. The study finds that mining and processing of heavy and rare earth minerals of KMML is producing a tremendously negative impact on the land and environment in the area, the magnitude and intensity of which depends on the kind of chemicals and processes used, the efforts taken in the management of waste as well as on environmental fragility of the location. The project intends to develop advanced planning strategies to tackle the challenges in the study area put on by KMML to achieve positive economic benefits without endangering humanity. The planning strategies suggested ensures integration of the environmental control measures into the process of planning industrial area. To build strategies, the mitigation measures are developed based on the best practices of well-planned industrial areas that have been thoughtfully built for a context like this. The solutions developed aim to preserve natural harmony and lessen the negative consequences of industry on humanity. The proposals are to intensify the water cleaning process, waste management, buffer zones, rehabilitation and resettlement, super specialty health care facilities and on other issues which have a direct bearing on the health and wellbeing of people in the area.