By SNV Sudhir
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.
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