BHOPAL | Feb 03, 2016: National Green Tribunal (NGT) appointed commission of advocates has found illegal sand mining taking place in the submergence area of Sardar Sarovar Project in four districts of Madhya Pradesh.

The commission submitted its report before the tribunal on Wednesday. NGT appointed commission of two advocates, Ajay Gupta and Dharmveer Sharma, was asked to take stock of illegal mining in the four districts - Dhar, Barwani, Alirajpur and Khargone.

The report has clearly stated that sand mining has been done in submergence area of river bed as well as areas situated on banks of river Narmada having huge sand deposits. These shall be submerged on Sardar Sarovar dam being filled. Besides, revenue and mining officials were unaware about the exact area of mining leases in several of the areas surveyed.

Based on their report, NGT central zonal bench has sought reply from the collectors of the respective districts on the status of illegal mining by February 26.

Previously, rampant illegal sand mining was on in catchment and submergence areas of ardar Sarovar project in Dhar and Barwani districts as found prima facie by team of advocates appointed by NGT to probe into social activist Medha Patkar's allegation. The central zonal bench appointed the advocates after Patkar alleged that illegal mining continued in the area unabated and that whatever action has been taken by the administration is "merely eyewash".

The report also punched holes in state government's claim that all was being done to check illegal mining by appointing guards and putting up check posts etc. As per the report, "there were no cogent methods in place by government and its agencies to check such illegal mining. No regular check post or chowkidar etc are posted. It was seen that after sand mining is done, the excess mud is left in open areas only, which becomes loose and would flow into river with rain water".

Besides, the report observed that river banks should not be allowed to be broken. Report further stated that government will have to keep a close watch by identifying the spots. Areas, in which mining shall be permitted, shall be allotted by fixing its boundaries. A constant check is required to be maintained so that boundary marks are not disturbed and mining is not extended in areas not allotted for mining.

Meanwhile, Patkar expressed disappointment at the slow pace of the hearing and said that she will soon lodge FIRs against those involved in illegal mining.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)