Post News Network
Jhumpura, Jan 9: Notwithstanding a Supreme Court directive to all state governments to check illegal sand lifting from riverbeds, such activities are allegedly being carried out on a large scale in Balibhandh revenue circle are under Jhumpura block in Keonjhar district. The sand mafia is also carrying out extraction of other minor minerals simultaneously. But the administration has failed to stop such activities, which are proving to be a significant drain on the state’s exchequer.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had recently asked all state governments to stop sand-lifting from riverbeds that lack environmental clearance.
According to reports, river ghats of Aradei river in Jhumpura have been auctioned, but mining has not been allowed as yet. However, in Balibandh revenue circle, smugglers have been taking away truckloads of sand from various ghats of the Aradei river on a daily basis, locals alleged.
Locals said smugglers have built roads through farmlands into an unauthorised sand ghat. Over 15 tractors have been engaged to transport sand from the quarry while some owners of the farmlands are colluding with the mafia in such illegal activities.
Sand is transported to Joda, Barbil and other areas. Besides, the smugglers continue to stockpile sand in the backyards of their homes, desolate places and in forested areas.
Locals added that sand is quarried and stocked in the daytime while heavy vehicles are engaged to transport sand to various areas at night. They wondered how the tehsil administration is failing to take note of such illegal activities, which have been going on for a long time. Sand has been stockpiled at 15 places in Balibandh area.
Locals had several times drawn the attention of Balibandh revenue inspector and officials of Jhumpura tehsil, but no concrete action has been taken against sand looters.
Contacted, revenue inspector Nihar Sethi said raids are being conducted at regular intervals and trucks are seized.
As for the newly-built sand quarry, tehsildar Shiba Toppo said, “Steps will be taken to stop the illegal mining of sand.”
