In the wake of the political storm over the suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal, a three-member committee has been constituted by the Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) to inquire into allegations of illegal sand mining in Gautam Budh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh.
The team comprises of Dr Saroj, Director MoEF, GC Meena Deputy collector of mines, incharge, office of IBM Dehradun and KK Garg, Director, Regional Office, MoEF , lucknow. The committee has been directed the committee to submit its report by August 9. It has been mandated to ascertain the factual position of environmental degradation, while suggesting future course of action.
The enquiry will be done in line with the Supreme Court’s directive in connection with mining of minor minerals. As per the SC order, mandatory environment clearances from environment Ministry has to be taken for all excavation of minerals, including sand mining.
The National Green Tribunal had, a couple of days ago, banned mining of sand from riverbeds across the country without an environmental clearance.