Amid raging controversy over suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakthi Nagpal by the Uttar Pradesh government, a central probe team has found that “illegal and unscientific” sand mining was rampant along the Yamuna river in the Gautam Budh Nagar district of the state.

In its report submitted to the Environment and Forest Ministry, the three-member committee stated that mining was done in violation of environmental norms despite clear laws, orders of the Supreme Court, Allahabad High Court and the National Green Tribunal.Sand mining along the Yamuna river in the district came to limelight after the UP government recently suspended Nagpal allegedly for taking action against sand mafias.

“On both sides of the road, scattered heaps of sand were lying at various places with signs of lifting the material. It was also said that some villagers lend their farms for storing the sand and it was lifted when economically viable,” the panel, set up by the ministry on August 6, stated in its report after carrying out site inspections this week.

At the confluence of the Yamuna and the Hindon in Mamnathal village, deep excavated areas were noticed along the bank indicating lifting of sand.

At Gaddi–Samastipur village, the panel observed that excavated area had been filled with water. When enquired, one of the villagers told the probe team that there was no water till late night of August 6 and all of sudden water was pumped in huge quantity.

“One of the villager also said that he had crossed this area by boat and had walked on the bank but he was surprised to see water level has gone up on the bank within a span of four hours,” the central probe team noted.

Although no mining activity was currently seen at three locations, granted on lease by the state government, in Raipur Khadar area of Gautam Budh Nagar, the central team noted that these mines were operating in the past without seeking any environmental clearance from Ministry of Forest and Environment.