SHILLONG: The issue of unregulated sand mining has to be tackled by state authorities said National Green Tribunal (NGT) Judicial Member, Justice MS Nambiar on Thursday.
Justice Nambiar informed that the Supreme court has not put total ban on sand mining.
“We have to understand that sand mining activities are allowed after obtaining the necessary clearance. Any sand mining activity (carried out) without the necessary permission will be a violation of the apex court ruling,” Justice Nambiar said while addressing newsmen here on Thursday.
Earlier, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma had said that the State Government will not put a ban on sand mining as it would dislocate people involved in such activities besides leading to large scale migration.
“It is not necessary to ban but what is required is regulation of all these activities,” Dr Sangma had said. Justice Nambiar, meanwhile, refused to comment on the death of the 16 miners inside coal mines in South Garo Hills.
“We cannot issue any comment since the matter is still pending with the tribunal,” the NGT Judicial Member said.
Earlier, the NGT members held an interaction with the various stakeholders during a workshop held at Yojana Bhavan at the Main Secretariat. Various issues pertaining to activities leading to the deterioration of the environment were raised during the interaction. Environmentalist Naba Bhattcharjee told the tribunal members that the Government had brought an amendment to the Meghalaya Forest Protection Act, 1975 by redefining the definition of ‘forest’ with some hidden agenda.
Replying to this, Justice Nambiar said that the NGT cannot take up matters relating to constitutional legislation. “The right forum to raise this kind of matter is the court,” NGT judicial member said. The issue of alleged encroachment of forest areas by cement plants in Jaintia Hills was also raised during the interactive meet. “We cannot act unless we receive a formal complaint. The NGT does not take up cases on suo moto basis,” Justice Nambiar said while addressing the concern.