Water expert Rajendra Singh welcomes government plan to map sand deposits

NEW DELHI: Renowned water expert Rajendra Singh today welcomed the Centre's move to introduce policy to map sand deposits and take technology-based measures to monitor excavation activities to keep rivers alive and avert flooding instances.

Singh stressed satellite mapping of sand deposits was a "must" to see that the ecology of rivers was maintained even as sand becomes available.

The Magsaysay award winner suggested the Government to also identify and protect aquifers in river beds.

An aquifer is underground layer of unconsolidated material bearing water like sand in a river bed.

"Sand mining should not be permitted where there are fractures in underground aquifers (of river beds). Ground water gets recharged in the aquifers. Sand in aquifers supports, purifies and recharges water.

"However, sand mining can be allowed at places where there is no fracture in aquifers. So, it will augur well if the Government maps sand deposits and also aquifers," Singh, who has been working on river rejuvenation issues, told PTI.

Known as 'Waterman of India', Singh suggested the Government to also prepared guidelines on where mining is permissible and where it's not.

He demanded computerised and manual supervision of excavation activity to ensure the system becomes "more responsible".

"Lifting of sand needs to be cross-checked. The system will be more responsible, if there is a provision for cross- checking and monitoring. Mining is required, sand is required for constructing homes...but when (we say) sand is required, where mining should be done and where it should not be also has to be decided," Singh added.

The Union Environment and Forest Ministry plans to come out with a national policy on "sustainable" sand mining to ensure ecology of rivers is maintained, they remain alive and also curb instances of flooding.

As part of the policy, the Government plans to carry out satellite mapping of sand deposits - where only excavation will be allowed - and also monitor sand transportation through a web-based application to curb illegal activities.