SURAT: Confusion prevails among the officials on a recent National Green Tribunal order banning the mining activity in riverbeds unless an environment clearance (EC) is obtained. With the copy of the verdict yet to reach them, officials of geology department of local administration are not sure how to go about the procedures as the 100-odd sand mining lease sites in Tapi riverbed continue to function.

"We will act accordingly after we are communicated the exact verdict," a geologist Paresh Pandya said. The basic understanding of the order is that mining should only be carried out after obtaining EC for the sites. This means that sand mining in 100-odd leased sites will be stopped till the clearance is obtained for them respectively.

Till now the geology department has been following the norms laid by the state government that make EC mandatory for the lease holders who have taken an area of five hectares or more on lease. It is understood that EC has been made compulsory for every new lease holder while the old holders would also have to obtain it for renewal of the lease.

Member secretary of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) Hardik Shah told TOI, "Government is working out the modalities on how to go about the issuance of EC. Once these are worked out, they will be announced."

Sources said that while work on leased sites will cease, it is still a challenge to check illegal mining by the sand mafia as there are just three mine supervisors in entire Surat district besides one royalty inspector, one geological assistant, one surveyor and a geologist to take care of more than 100 sand mining sites and an equal number of quarries.

Officials said in 2011-12 the mining department had seized 18 vehicles whose number rose to 189 in 2012-13. While one vehicle was confiscated last year, 26 large vehicles have been confiscated this year till now. The department has already recovered an amount of Rs 67 lakh this year as fine against a collection of Rs 24 lakh last year.