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PARASNATH HILLS FACE THREAT DUE TO MINING
Giridih, Mining, legal or otherwise, is no longer just a geological problem at the Parasnath hills. 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 4,431 ft Parasnath hill. Parasnath hills hold special significance for Jains as most of the Jain Tirthankars including Parsva or Parsvanath, attained nirvana 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 Rampuria says he 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. According to Mr. Deepak Kumar, a geologist at Vinobha Bhave University, any form of mining is dangerous for the hill. The hill has also been a research centre for specialists making life-saving drugs. Several medicinal plants grow on the hill.