Sir — This refers to the report, “No sand mining on riverbeds sans green nod: NGT” (August 6). The nationwide outcry following the suspension of young IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal has ushered in some positive changes in the form on new regulations regarding sand mining.
The National Green Tribunal, in response to a petition filed by the NGT Bar Association, has done well to ban sand mining on riverbeds across the country without prior sanction and clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. While the NGT order is a step in the right direction, there doubts are over its strict implementation, especially in remote areas. The district administration must be issued strict guidelines for curbing illegal mining activities .