Illegal sand mining along the Yamuna caught on camera by NDTV on August 3
Noida:
The Centre today admitted that there was rampant illegal mining of sand along the Yamuna in Noida.
A detailed report presented by a three-member committee set up by the environment ministry which had carried out site inspections this week following media reports of illegal mining observed, "It is evident that rampant, unscientific and illegal mining has been going on at various locations in the Gautam Budh Nagar District."
In fact the committee observed that "despite clear laws, orders of the Supreme Court, Allahabad High Court and the National Green tribunal, mining was being done in violation of environmental norms."
Sand mining along the Yamuna came into focus after the Uttar Pradesh government suspended IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal last month for allegedly demolishing a wall of a mosque under construction. However, many believe that she was transferred as she had launched a massive crackdown against illegal sand mining in Noida. Ms Nagpal was the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Gautam Budh Nagar.
Sand mining along the Yamuna has picked up after the massive construction boom across the NCR and Noida. According to some estimates, illegal sand mining is worth more than Rs 10 crores per day.
The Uttar Pradesh irrigation department had also written to the Noida authorities warning them of increased danger from flooding due to illegal mining. According to the department, illegal mining had resulted in the Yamuna shifting its course by 500 metres closer to Noida. Sources in the environment ministry suggest that the Centre will also be writing to the mining ministry as well as others to take action based on the revelations in the report.
The three-member committee has suggested regular monitoring of the mining activity to ensure effective compliance of environmental norms and also adopting appropriate Disaster Management safeguards in view of the high seismicity of the area.
A detailed report presented by a three-member committee set up by the environment ministry which had carried out site inspections this week following media reports of illegal mining observed, "It is evident that rampant, unscientific and illegal mining has been going on at various locations in the Gautam Budh Nagar District."
In fact the committee observed that "despite clear laws, orders of the Supreme Court, Allahabad High Court and the National Green tribunal, mining was being done in violation of environmental norms."
Sand mining along the Yamuna came into focus after the Uttar Pradesh government suspended IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal last month for allegedly demolishing a wall of a mosque under construction. However, many believe that she was transferred as she had launched a massive crackdown against illegal sand mining in Noida. Ms Nagpal was the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Gautam Budh Nagar.
Sand mining along the Yamuna has picked up after the massive construction boom across the NCR and Noida. According to some estimates, illegal sand mining is worth more than Rs 10 crores per day.
The Uttar Pradesh irrigation department had also written to the Noida authorities warning them of increased danger from flooding due to illegal mining. According to the department, illegal mining had resulted in the Yamuna shifting its course by 500 metres closer to Noida. Sources in the environment ministry suggest that the Centre will also be writing to the mining ministry as well as others to take action based on the revelations in the report.
The three-member committee has suggested regular monitoring of the mining activity to ensure effective compliance of environmental norms and also adopting appropriate Disaster Management safeguards in view of the high seismicity of the area.
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