The Madhya Pradesh Government is making efforts to seek the Supreme Court's permission for sand mining in part of the 435 km stretch of the Chambal Sanctuary that lies within the State in order to avoid conflict between villagers and wildlife protectors, the Assembly was told on Thursday.
The State Wildlife Board has recommended to keep approximately 10 km portion near Piparai mine out of the Chambal wildlife sanctuary, where rare species of gharial (alligator) are found.
Forest Minister Himmat Kothari said during a discussion on Call Attention Motion moved by Gajraj Singh Sikarwar.
He said it was proposed to permit sand mining in such area which is not important for wildlife, but could provide employment to villagers engaged in sand mining.
The Government is hoping that earmarking specific area for sand mining will help avoid conflict between villagers and those engaged in wildlife protection.
Kothari claimed that all Government agencies were trying to check illegal sand mining, but said the problem was very old and intricate.
Sikarwar expressed serious concern that illegal sand mining posed a threat to the survival of alligators. He alleged that the task force had failed to check illegal mining on river beds.
Sharing the member's concern, Kothari said besides gharial, other rare species of dolphin and tortoise were found in the 435 kilometre-long Chambal river, dividing Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Since March 2004, he said, 63 cases of illegal sand mining had been registered and 56 trucks seized.
Five workers were killed when a sand-laden truck overturned near village Banda on June 23, while four workers were injured in a similar incident near Rithora village on July 4.
