By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 24: The Office of the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner has prohibited illegal mining and quarrying on hill slopes and the removal of sand from riverbeds without valid licenses or permits across the district.
The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, follows reports of sand extraction from the Wahniangleng River near Mylliem.
According to the order, it was noted that such activities had severely affected local water sources, destroyed aquatic life and rendered water unfit for drinking.
The directive also ensures compliance with a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order, which restrains any individual or company from carrying out mining or sand removal without clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The district administration warned that indiscriminate extraction leads to the destruction of slope vegetation and constant mineral outflow into rivers.
