Dehradun | Dec 13, 2016: Chief minister Harish Rawat has said that though the state government was against illegal mining not just in Haridwar but also in other nearby districts like Tehri and Pauri, he said that a complete ban on mining cannot be enforced as picking of river-bed material is required to prevent rivers from changing their course.

Rawat’s comments came hours after Haridwar-based Matri Sadan head and seer Shivanand on Monday accused the district administration and the state government of encouraging illegal mining in Raiwala and Bhogpur, and vowed to strongly oppose it. A few days ago, the Central Pollution Control Board had issued an order prohibiting all mining within a five km radius of the Ganga.

Talking to reporters at Beejapur guest house, Rawat said that he has directed Haridwar DM and other officials to take adequate measures to put an end to illegal quarrying. He said, however, that picking of river-bed material, referred to as chugaan by locals, cannot be completely stopped as it is needed to prevent rivers from changing their course and also to provide construction material for various developmental projects.

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