The National Green Tribunal has summoned wildlife officials of MoEF and Madhya Pradesh over rampant illegal sand mining around Son Gharial Sanctuary in the State. As per official figures, there are only 19 ghariyals left in Son river.
The green court in its orders on Tuesday directed State Government to take measures to ensure no illegal sand mining is allowed in the area. The State Forest Department has been asked to place on record impact of such measures taken in the past six months. The next hearing is on January 14.
“Mining of sand banks is destructive for ghariyal population as they are essential for nesting and basking,” said Mishra in his petition, adding, ghariyals lay eggs under sand beds, but illegal sand mining destroys their nests.
The directives of the tribunal come in the wake of complaint filed by advocate and social activist Nithyanand Mishra before the green panel claiming that sand mining in and around Son River is posing a major threat to the last of the wild and breeding ghariyals left in the sanctuary running across UP and MP.
He said Churhat, Khadbada, Piparohar, Akauri, Gaughat and Patpara in Sidhi are worst-affected areas due to mining that is unabated in connivance with local authorities and police.
“Mining of sand banks is destructive for ghariyal population as they are essential for nesting and basking,” said Mishra in his petition, adding, ghariyals lay eggs under sand beds, but illegal sand mining destroys their nests.
Sand mining is against Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.