Shillong, Sept 07: The District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District has promulgated an order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting illegal mining and quarrying and removal of sand from river beds by any person, company or authority without obtaining Mining Licence, Quarry Permit and other Clearance Certificates from the Competent Authority(s).
The Order is necessitated in order to prevent danger to human life, health and safety and to safeguard the environment and in view of the reports received that illegal quarrying and mining especially on hill slopes and removal of sand from river-beds are taking place in various parts of East Khasi Hills District.
As per the order received from National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi restraining any person, company, authority to carry out any mining and quarry activity or removal of sand from river beds anywhere in the country without obtaining valid Mining Licence/Quarry Permit and other Clearance Certificate prescribed by EIA Notification 2006 of MoEF&CC, Government of India
The indiscriminate quarrying and mining activities has led to the constant out flow of stone, sand and other minerals into the rivers and down from the hills slopes which ultimately lead to destruction of vegetation of the slopes, adjoining roads and National Highways and damages the water sources and destroyed the aquatic life.
It may also be mentioned that most of the rivers have been polluted due to stone and sand mining and as such the water are no longer potable and fit for drinking purposes etc.This Order shall come into force with immediate effect and until further Orders.
