Visakhapatnam: Despite the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order in August banning sand mining without environmental clearance, across the country, the activity is going on unabated in many places in Visakhapatnam district.
Illegal sand mining is rampant along the banks of Varaha, Tandava and Sarada rivers in Anakaplle, Chodavaram, Mungapaka, Payakaraopeta, S Rayavaram and Yelamachali mandals.
Environmentalists are of the opinion that indiscriminate sand mining will lead to ecological imbalances and also affect environment.
In August, the NGT, while hearing a petition on rampant sand mining on the banks of Yamuna, Ganga, Chambal, Gaumti and Revati, passed orders restraining any person, company, authority to carry out any mining activity or removal of sand from river beds anywhere in the country without obtaining environmental clearance from MoEF or State level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and license from the competent authorities.
However, sources in the pollution control board office here said that there were no applications from any prospective miners in the district nor has the SEIAA accorded EC to any person or firm. But the mining activity is going on under the nose of the authorities.
Interestingly, the sleuths of the vigilance and enforcement wing, revenue, mines and mineral department, who are to check the illegal mining, have not booked even a single case so far since the Tribunal award was out.
“We have not booked any cases regarding sand mining so far,” said a senior officer of vigilance and enforcement. Illegal river sand mining or quarrying can be witnessed in Juutada, Amberapuram, Chadavad under Chodavaram mandal, Seetanagaram, Venkatapalem in Anakapalle mandal, Payakaraopeta, Aratla, Pedabhadhrapuram in Paayakaraopeta mandal.
“It’s unfortunate that officials are ignoring the tribunal’s order. Rampant illegal sand mining, in the long run, would lead to environmental havoc,” pointed environment rights activist J.V. Ratnam.
