KSU challenges NGT ban on sand mining

SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of law department, Rowell Lyngdoh will ask the law department to examine if the ban on sand mining in the State can be lifted.
The statement came from the Deputy Chief Minister after Khasi Students’ Union – South West Khasi Hills District (KSU-SWKHD) asked the State government to challenge the order of the National Green Tribunal banning sand mining activities in the State.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Rowell Lyngdoh said that the State Government has not studied the effect of sand mining and the question that remains is under what context the Supreme Court has issued the order of imposing a ban on sand mining.
Admitting that the it will take some time to examine the impact of sand mining on environment, he stated that the State may have to appeal to the to the Supreme Court to give further enlightenment on the impact of sand mining on the environment.
Earlier, the pressure group met Rowell and demanded immediate lifting of section 144 CrPC imposed in the different districts of the State since this order was affecting the people.
The demand came following the imposition of section 144 CrPC in the different districts of the State by the district administrations in compliance with the NGT order prohibiting mining activities in the areas.
The group is of the view that most of the people are only engaged in collecting sands and boulders from river-side and not mining activities which in no way affects the environment.
As per the order of the NGT issued on August 5, last year, sand mining on either side of the rivers, upstream and in-stream, is one of the causes for environmental degradation and also a threat to biodiversity.