Ri Bhoi district admin bans sand mining

Nongpoh: The District Magistrate of  Ri Bhoi passed a prohibitory order under Section 144 on Thursday prohibiting any person, company or individuals from resorting to the act of mining of stone, boulders and sand.
The order also stated that the removal of sand from rivers beds without obtaining mining lease and other clearance from  a competent authority will be punishable under relevant sections of the law.
The order has been issued in view of complaints stating that illegal stone quarrying, sand mining and unscientific extraction of stones are taking place within Ri Bhoi.
This also includes the unregulated removal of rocks from hilltops, hill slopes and upper reaches of the land which have in turn, resulted in landslides, flash floods and soil erosion.
Furthermore, the use of high explosives in stone quarrying and heavy drilling machines in sand mining operations have resulted in intense noise pollution.
The consequent discharge of fine dust particles into the air has resulted in air pollution which poses a serious health hazard to human life and wildlife alike.
The order will come into force with immediate effect until further orders.