BHOPAL | Apr 08, 2015: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed concern over illegal sand mining in Madhya Pradesh following death of a cop, who was mowed down by a dumper carrying illegally-quarried sand in Morena. NGT has asked state government to furnish its reply on what is being done to curb illegal mining.
NGT central zone bench was hearing petition seeking ban on illegal sand mining around Son Gharial Sanctuary in Sidhi district filed by advocate and activist Nityanand Mishra.
According to Mishra, sand mining is posing a major threat to wild and breeding ghariyals left in the sanctuary running across UP and MP.
"There are only 19 ghariyals left in Son river," Mishra said quoting a report obtained under Right to Information Act (RTI).
On Tuesday, NGT bench comprising judicial member Justice Dalip Singh and expert member Ranjan Chatterjee raised the recent Morena incident.
"We have noted the concerned events which have been reported in media, though not pertaining to Son river but in the adjoining areas of Madhya Pradesh, where even the police personnel are not being spared by mafia indulging in illegal mining," stated the bench.
Applicant on Tuesday submitted documents and photographs to prove that illegal mining was still on in Son river. Photographs clearly indicated illegal sand mining which showed in full public view convoys of trucks being used for illegal mining and sand transportation as well as extraction of sand from the river by mechanised means.
"At no point, we find any semblance of authority of the district administration for preventing such illegal mining as per the photographic evidence placed on record," bench observed.
Sachin K Verma, state counsel prayed for more time to submit response of the state.
NGT asked state government to consider imposition of ban by restricting movement of trucks and heavy vehicles which are used for transportation of sand from the river illegally as per provisions of CrPc in notified areas along Son river. NGT also sought response from district collector and SP of Sidhi district and home department before April 23, next date of hearing.
NGT asked state to consider constitution of the forest management committees whereby communities residing in forest areas are made stakeholders.
"Farming of vegetables during the lean period would create stakes for adjoining villagers, who surely would be able to render assistance to district administration for preventing illegal mining," NGT said, adding that Son water though would have to be tested before it is found conducive for farming.
Those vegetables can be supplied to nearby townships instead of vegetables grown from sewage water, bench said.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)