Now Reading: NGT petitioned against illegal riverbed mining near Kaziranga
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NGT petitioned against illegal riverbed mining near Kaziranga
A resident of Karbi Anglong has petitioned the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against large-scale mechanised sand mining in the Deihori River, which flows along the southern boundary of Kaziranga National Park and…
The Story in Brief
A resident of Karbi Anglong has petitioned the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against large-scale mechanised sand mining in the Deihori River, which flows along the southern boundary of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Mohajon Kro alleges that excavators and dumpers are extracting sand within the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone, violating a 2019 Supreme Court ban on mining near the park. He says the operations destabilise the riverbed, damage fish breeding grounds, and threaten water quality for local tribal communities. The Karbi Anglong district authorities have not yet verified the claims.
Kro named Songja Terang as the lease holder for the quarry area, issued by the Divisional Forest Officer. Conservationists warn that unchecked riverbed mining, combined with illegal stone quarrying in Karbi Anglong, could cause severe ecological damage to Kaziranga, which relies on streams flowing from these hills. The NGT has been urged to order an immediate halt to all mechanised mining and a spot inspection by a joint committee.
The Indian Opinion
The Supreme Court banned mining near Kaziranga in 2019, yet mechanised excavation reportedly continues. This suggests that state and tribal council authorities are either looking the other way or unable to enforce the law. The claim that a forest officer issued the lease raises questions about collusion within the very department meant to protect the park. The real test will be whether the NGT's joint committee finds violations and whether Assam acts swiftly to stop the digging, or allows another court order to gather dust.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
