SAND Mining in and around water bodies during monsoon brings in depletion of the resources. Accordingly, ban was imposed during the monsoon period for sand mining around river beds. With continuous rainfall demarcation was becoming a problem. Subsequent to the directions given by green panel mining officers are geared up to ensure demarcation for sand mining in and around Tapti river . Additional to the regular monitoring of mining leases would also be carried out.
With regards to the petition concerned with the sand mining in Tapti river it was alleged by the petitioner that inspite of the directions to impose a ban during monsoon period between June 1 to October 31, river sand mining had been going on and there was no check by the administration in that respect.
The sand mining in and around Tapti river around Burhanpur falls in jurisdiction of the RO Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) Indore. Earlier, notices were issued with the direction to the District Administration and the Superintendent of Police and the Mining Officer to file their affidavit with regard to the action taken by them in this behalf.
It was stated that the District Collector of Burhanpur has taken all steps to comply with the directions of the Tribunals. In as much as no valid permissions were granted during the monsoon period for river sand mining and 48 cases were registered against the persons found to be carrying on illegal mining and owners of the vehicles as well as two cases of illegal stocking of the river sand mineral last year. In another report filed it was mentioned that RO, MPPCB at Indore to issue notices to both the drivers as well as to the owners of the motor vehicle to showcause why their vehicles may not be impounded and confiscated and the amount recovered from the same be deposited against the head of ‘loss to the environment’, in addition to the total amount of penalty.
