Lok Sabha Question No. 4375 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-20
Subject: Illegal Sand Mining in Rivers
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Sunny Deol, Behanan Benny

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONNO.4375

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2020

## Illegal Sand Mining in Rivers

## 4375. SHRI SUNNY DEOL: SHRI BENNY BEHANAN

Will  the  Minister  of  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE  CHANGE  be  pleased  to state that

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the large scale illegal sand mining occuring in the river beds of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Punjab and Kerala;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  impact  of  illegal  sand  mining  on  the environment  and  ground  water  level  in  the  districts  of  Gurdaspur  and  Pathankot  in Punjab, if so, the details thereof along with the long-term implications of the excessive sand mining of rivers;
- (d) whether the Government has any plans/roadmap for restoration of damages caused to the environment and ground water level, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has any plans to control and take appropriate action against the officials responsible for ongoing illegal sand mining, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f) the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  regulate  sand  mining  from  rivers  in  the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO )

(a) to (f): Mining of minor minerals is regulated by the State Government and section 23C of  the  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation)  Act,  1957  empowers  State Governments to frame rules to prevent illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and  for  purposes  connected  therewith.  Further,  Section  15  of  the  MMDR  Act  empowers State Governments to make rules for regulating the grant of quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals including sand.

The State Government of Punjab has informed since 01.01.2019, 463 FIR's have been filed and 577 vehicles have been impounded. Till date no effect regarding depletion of ground water table has been observed in District Gurdaspur & Pathankot. To prevent any damage to environment,  the  mining  plans/Environment  Management  plans  are  prepared  by  the government  approved  experts  and  approved  by  the  State  Government.  The  mines  are permitted  only  obtaining  the  prior  environment  clearance  as  per  EIA  notification  and Consent from Punjab State Pollution Control Board (PPCB).

The State Government of Kerala reported few instances of illegal river sand mining. Legal sand  mining  is  permitted  only  after  ensuring  that  environmental  clearance  and  approved mining  plan  is  in  place.  The  State  of  Kerala  has  framed  'The  Kerala  protection  of  river banks and regulation  of  removal  of Sand  Act  2001'  for  sustainable  river  sand  mining  to ensure  riverine  ecosystem.  As  per  the  prevailing  rules  of  the  State  of  Kerala  the  revenue department is to take action against illegal sand mining activities from rivers.

The State Government of Assam reported thatan amount equal to 10% of the Royalty paid to the State is charged from the Mineral Concession holder for restoration and rehabilitation works. No instance of involvement of officers in illegal sand mining has been reported in the  State.  Rule  39  of  the  Assam  Minor  Mineral  Concession  Rule,  2013  stipulates  special conditions for Mineral Concession granted for extraction of Minor Minerals from river beds. Besides all mining activities in the state are allowed only after obtaining prior environmental clearance.

The Ministry has taken several steps to ensure environmental safeguards due to mining of minerals,  inter-alia,  include  mandating  the  requirement  of  prior  environmental  clearance under  the  provisions  of  Environment  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  Notification,  2006,  as amended from time to time; laying stringent  conditions  while granting  the  environmental clearances with due consideration of various aspects related to flora, fauna, air, water, land, environmental  health  etc.;  issuance  of  Sustainable  Sand  Mining  Management  Guidelines 2016; and Enforcement &Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining 2020 wherein the use of IT  Technology,  night  surveillance  through  UAV/Drone  etc.  has  been  proposed  to  control illegal mining. Further, in pursuant to S.O. 804 (E) dated 14.03.2017, damage assessment and remediation plan and natural and community resource augmentation plan corresponding to  the  ecological  damage  assessed  and  economic  benefits  derived  due  to  violation  is  also required to be carried in case of violation of EIA Notification, 2006.

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