Ban on sand mining, stone quarrying along Myntdu river

JOWAI, March 18: As the quality of water is severely affected day by day due to washing of clothes and vehicles in the catchment areas of the river, dumping of spoils and dirt, illegal collection of sand and stone from the river bed, the District Magistrate of West Jaintia Hills, in an order under Section 144 CrPC, has prohibited sand mining and stone quarrying along the Myntdu river starting the river bed, besides felling of trees in the vicinity of the river.
The order also prohibits washing of clothes, vehicles and dumping of waste material along the course of the river, which has reportedly become over the period of time.
The order also aims to ensure effective implementation of the order issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against illegal felling of trees, sand mining and illegal collection of boulders from the river bed of Myntdu and its vicinity.