Damalgre group opposes ban on sand mining

TURA, May 16: The Damalgre to Garobadha Sand Association has opposed the recent order banning the mining of sand without permit/lease from the Forest and Environment departments, pointing out that the local people have been dependent on the activity for decades and would find it difficult to survive without it.
In its appeal to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the association said that the local villagers of the area would be hit hardest if the activity is prohibited as this has been their source of income for years. “These people are all locals who earn whatever little they can by collecting sand. As for the permit or lease, they will not be able to afford the cost of acquiring it as they are all poor people. Besides, the local people will never allow outsiders to make the permit and take over the activity,” the association cautioned, even as it urged the chief minister to personally look into the matter and review the order that was passed earlier.