The reply will be filed in connection with the nationwide ban imposed by the NGT on sand mining being carried out without environmental clearance.

Meanwhile, sand mining will continue in the state.

Illegal sand mining has dominated the political discussion in the state with the opposition charging the ruling party leaders and their family members, including the chief minister, of having a stake in illegal sand mining.

The NGT had on Monday given a nationwide ruling that sand mines that are smaller than 5 hectares should not operate without environmental clearance.

Senior mining department officials said that earlier environmental clearance was required for mines that were more than 5 hectares.

However, a Supreme Court order of February, 2012 made it mandatory for all mines upto 50 hectares to get environmental clearance from the SEIAA for operation.

Subsequently, the state government amended the MP minor mineral rules, 1996 to set up a district committee chaired by the collector with an official from the Pollution Control Board as member for clearing sand mining in areas less than 5 hectares.

The state government informed the Supreme Court of the amendment and gave a compliance report of the court’s order.

“In view of the NGT order, the state government will file an application to inform the tribunal about the compliance report given by it earlier. It is up to the tribunal to uphold it,” said an official of the mining department. He added that the state government was not a party to the original petition but notices have subsequently been issued to all states.

Other matters raised in the Supreme Court order have also been complied with.

The state government has issued directives to districts for exercising extra alertness and caution for prevention and control of bird flu in view of reports of this disease in bordering districts of Chhattisgarh.

The government has directed district collectors to ensure action as per directives to check spread of this disease.

The government has also issued directives to all deputy directors of veterinary department posted in districts for prevention and control of avian influenza (bird flu).

They have been directed to ensure immediate action on receiving information about unnatural death of birds or fowls and send samples for test.

Directives have also been sent to keep a watch in wetland areas in districts and send samples of migratory birds as well as backyard poultry in villages near reservoirs. Districts have been asked to examine symptoms of disease in poultry brought for sale to chicken markets or haat bazaars.

They have been asked to undertake regular inspections of all poultry farms and ensure compliance of bio-security norms.

Districts have been asked to assess requirement of kits, appliances, medicine stock, JCB machines, fogging and suction machines etc. to tackle emergency situations and ensure all preparations for this.

It has been directed to initiate necessary steps to apprise poultry breeders of measures to prevent and control bird flu. Directives have been given to coordinate these efforts so that situation in any emergency can be brought under control immediately.