The National Green Tribunal has directed the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governments to ensure that there is no mechanical sand mining on the riverbeds of Krishna, Godavari, Vamsadhara, Penna, Pranahita and their tributaries among others.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar took note of photographs filed by an NGO and directed both the States to file affidavits of secretaries concerned on the issue of sand mining in the beds of major rivers flowing through the States.
“Meanwhile, we restrain both the States, any corporation, authority or person for carrying on mechanical mining in the river bed,” the bench said.
The green panel's direction came while hearing a plea by NGO seeking directions to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Maharashtra governments to ban illegal sand mining. The case is now listed for hearing on January 25, 2017.
The petitioner had also sought directions to formulate and place on record strategy to prevent illegal mining and a cumulative impact study on rampant sand mining in these states.