Ban on sand mining led to Gir floods, says Javadekar

Advocating for lifting of ban on sand mining from the rivers, especially those passing through forest areas, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar on Sunday said that one of the reasons for the unprecedented flood in Gir forest and other parts of Saurashtra region might be long-time non-clearance of sand from riverbeds. 

The Minister further said that the Central Government would move the apex court for the removal of ban on sand mining from the rivers passing through forest areas. The unprecedented flood, especially in Amreli district caused death of 10 Asiatic lions that too right on the edge of Gir Forest — the only abode of Asiatic lions in the world.

According to Javdekar, due to ban on sand mining, riverbeds of many rivers could have become shallow and which might resulted into over-flooding in Saurashtra region as its carrying capacity would be decreased considerably. The region witnessed torrential rains in June this year and created flood like situation in the area and resulted into human and animal casualties.

“In the wake of the Supreme Court order sand mining activities in Gir areas have been stopped for a long period. Due to this, many rivers flowing through forests have become shallow. Rivers passing through Gir are no exceptions. As the heavy rain brought large amount of fresh water, the rivers in the area couldn’t carry water speedily which resulted into flood, especially in Amreli district situated on the edge of Gir forest where 10 Asiatic lions and hundreds of other wild animals died,” said Javdekar at a Press Conference in Ahmdabad.

The Union Government has taken this issue seriously and has prepared a sustainable policy for sand mining to clear sand from shallow riverbeds, he said, adding that the draft of the policy would be presented before the apex court for consideration on lifting the ban of sand mining from rivers.While criticising Opposition Congress party, Javadekar said that Congress leaders are deliberately not allowing Parliament to run smoothly as they do not want GST Bill to pass. According to him, if the bill would pass, GDP of the nation will go up by 2 per cent which would increase popularity of Modi Government. “They are looking for one or other excuse to disrupt Parliament proceedings. Already, three weeks of Monsoon session have been wasted by the Opposition parties. I would like to request them to allow the Parliament run smoothly for the remaining period for the sake of development of the country,” he opined.