Illegal sand mining a threat to the Chambal river: M.P. Minister

from: The Hindu

Staff Correspondent 22/07/2006

Call-attention notice moved by BJP MLA from Sumawli in Morena district

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister Himmat Kothari admitted in the State Assembly on Thursday that illegal mining of sand had been continuing in the Chambal river which is the mainstay of the entire wildlife in the National Chambal Sanctuary.

The Minister said survival of Gharial (Gavelia Gangeticus) and other wildlife species that lay eggs in sand "is greatly threatened by sand mining in the Protected Area".

Mr. Kothari was responding to a call-attention notice moved by Gajraj Singh Sikarwar, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Sumawli in Morena district.

The National Chambal Sanctuary has its headquarters in Morena district and the issue acquires special significance as a ruling party member from the area raised it.

Mr. Kothari told the House that on the one hand the State Government tries to curb the menace of illegal sand mining and on the other a large number of local residents including labourers, traders and truck operators continue to be involved in illegal mining activity.

He said a truck (M.P. 05/E-6564) was seized during a joint operation launched by the district administration, police and forest department on July 6. However the truck was forcibly taken away by an angry mob. Five policemen were injured in the incident. An FIR was later lodged at the Sarai Chola police station and the police are investigating the case.

The Minister said five labourers were killed when a truck overturned on June 23 and in another accident on July 4, four labourers were injured. He said the truck involved in the June 23 accident was illegally transporting sand and the Forest Department is investigating the case. He said 56 vehicles had been seized in 63 separate cases registered by the Forest department since March 2004.

Mr. Kothari said that "illegal mining of sand in the National Chambal Sanctuary is threatening many endangered species and it is important to bring the situation under control".

He said the State wildlife Board had recommended that a 10-km. stretch of land near the Piprai mine be de-linked from the sanctuary. "The State Government would request the Supreme Court to grant permission for denotifying such areas."