Checking illegal mining

Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), in its latest order, has directed the Himachal Pradesh government to hold to account officials in light of the illegal mining in the Swan river in Una district.

Challenges of illegal mining

• Feeding the black market: fuelled by the booming construction industry, sand is a lucrative commodity, and hence, its mining from the riverbed — unregulated and rampant— is both pushed and protected by the powerful.
• Immense environmental damage: The immense environmental damage caused to the river ecosystem, like altering currents, changing watercourse and resultant threats, seems to be the least of concerns at all levels of governance.

Way Forward:

• Relying on scientific studies: To identify large river sand mining sites based on the aggregation and degradation rate, and then have a strict monitoring mechanism.
• People’s participation: Setting up village-level groups and letting the stakeholders appreciate the importance of and their crucial role in resisting illegal sand mining.