Removal of sands from rivers-beds prohibited in East Khasi Hills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 5, 2024

The removal of sand from river-beds by any person, company or authority without obtaining Mining Licence/Quarry Permit and other Clearance Certificates from the Competent Authority/(s) will now be considered illegal in East Khasi Hills District.

This is as per prohibitory order issued by the District Magistrate East Khasi Hills District under Section 144 CrPC.

The prohibitory order also restrained illegal mining and quarrying in the hill slopes in the entire district.

The order was issued following reports of illegal quarrying and mining particularly on hill slopes and removal of sand from river-beds in Sohiong, Mawblei and Umphyrnai and other parts of the district. Such activities have seriously affected the water sources in the surrounding and adjoining areas.

“Order is received from National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi restraining any person, company, authority to carry out any mining and quarrying activity or removal of sand from river beds anywhere in the country without obtaining valid Mining Licence/Quarry Permit and other Clearance Certificates prescribed by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India in EIA Notification 2006,” the prohibitory order said.

Such indiscriminate quarrying and mining activities has led to the constant out-flow of stone, sand and other minerals into the rivers and down from the hill slopes which ultimately lead to destruction of vegetation on the slopes, damages the water sources and destroys aquatic life.

Many rivers have become polluted due to stone and sand mining and as such, the water is no longer potable and is unfit for drinking purposes, etc.