Sand mining, stone quarrying banned in East Khasi Hills

SHILLONG: The District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills, has promulgated an order under Section 144 CrPC in the district restraining any person, company or authority from illegal stone quarrying and sand mining in the hill slopes and removal of sand from river-beds without obtaining permission/license from the competent authority.
The order is necessitated following reports that illegal stone quarrying and sand mining on the hills slopes and removal of sand from river-beds are taking place in various parts of the district which has led to constant outflow of stone and sand into the rivers and down the hill slopes destroying vegetation and damaging the water sources and aquatic life.
Moreover, the National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, has issued an order which restraints any person, company, authority from carry out any mining activity or removal of sand from river beds anywhere in the country without obtaining environmental clearance from MoEF/SEIAA and licenses from the competent authority.
This order comes into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force until further orders.