Stop illegal sand mining on riverbeds: NGT to states

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal today directed all state governments to ensure that there is no sand mining on the riverbeds being carried without prior environment clearance.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also issued bailable warrant against Resident Commissioner of Maharashtra for non-appearance of the officials from the state despite notice being served to them.

"All the state governments shall ensure that there is no illegal, unauthorized and mechanized mining on riverbeds contrary to/without environmental clearance and the consent of the pollution control boards," the bench said.

The green panel's direction came while hearing a plea by NGO Readiness for Empowerment through Legitimate Action (RELA) and Polavaram Mandal ex-president Vara Laxmi seeking directions to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odissa and Maharashtra governments to ban illegal sand mining.

The matter has been listed for next hearing on February 5.

The plea, filed through advocate Sravan Kumar, has also sought directions to formulate and place on record strategy/ scheme to prevent illegal mining and a cumulative impact study on rampant sand mining in these states.