Petition alleges mechanised sand mining near Kaziranga

The Story in Brief

A resident of Diphu has petitioned the National Green Tribunal and the Environment Ministry over alleged mechanised sand mining in the Deihori River, near Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve’s southern boundary in Karbi Anglong. The Hindu reported that excavators, earthmovers and dumpers are extracting sand within the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone. The petitioner said the work could damage the riverbed, fish breeding grounds and water quality used by nearby Scheduled Tribe communities. District authorities have yet to verify the allegations.

The Assam Tribune reported separate claims of hill cutting, stone quarrying and riverbed mining in Karbi Anglong’s Dolamara and Northern Ranges. It said organisations, residents and court-appointed committees had raised concerns despite earlier directives and judicial injunctions. The area is important to wildlife that moves into the hills when Kaziranga floods. The Supreme Court ordered a complete ban on mining and related activities along the park’s southern boundary in 2019.