Jaleswar: Despite prohibition imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on sand mining from Subarnarekha, the mafia from West Bengal continues to illegally quarry sand from various ghats of the river in Jaleswar block of Balasore district.
The rampant sand mining has posed a serious threat to many riparian villages, a report said. The NGT had earlier asked the district administration of West Midnapore to stop sand mining in the river, but the mafia has thrown the order to the winds. The illegal mining also results in loss of revenue to the state government.
According to the report, the sand mafia has engaged 70 powerful swamp pump sets to drawn sand from the depth of the river at several places.
The NGT imposed restrictions on sand mining in Subarnarekha October 26 and directed the administration of West Midnapore to seize swamp pump sets, dumpers, trucks, tractors and excavators engaged by the mafia in quarrying.
Sadly, the administration has allegedly been a mute spectator to the mafia’s activities though it has submitted an action taken report to the NGT in this regard November 17.
In reality, no action has been taken against the mafia, which is on a sand looting spree at Bilashpur, Makidia, Kuanrpur, Praharajpur, Totapada, Dakhinapraharajpur and Beherasahi under Jaleswar block.
Following repeated complaints and opposition from the people in riparian pockets, then tehsildar of Jaleswar had been asked by then revenue secretary and commissioner Taradutt to take action in curbing the illegal mining.
The administrative officials of West Midnapore and Jaleswar held a meeting at Makidia August 7 and another round of talks at Dantun December 30, 2015.
Then Jaleswar tehsildar had admeasured the riverbed where illegal sand mining was being carried out. The tehsildar found Bengal mafia has been illegally lifting sand in 6,000 acres in the full knowledge of the Bengal administration.
Members of Parivesh Congress, an outfit which is organising a seminar on protecting the Subarnarekha river basin, are likely to visit the villages where illegal sand mining is being carried out. PNN