Bengaluru: The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the Department of Mines and Geology have been instructed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to cease any illicit sand mining in the coastal zone of the Sharavathi River.
Judge Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati of the NGT’s southern zone bench were deliberating on an application pertaining to harm inflicted by illicit sand mining on the local flora and fauna.
Before the tribunal, the SEIAA argued that no party had received environmental approval for sand mining on the Sharavathi Illegal sand mining has been a persistent issue in the region, leading to soil erosion, damage to aquatic habitats, and disruption of water flow. Environmental activists and local communities have raised concerns about its long-term impact on the Sharavathi River, which is a vital water source and home to diverse wildlife.
The NGT has instructed the state authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and implement strict measures to prevent further damage. It emphasized the need for better enforcement of environmental laws, regular monitoring, and penalties for violators.
The tribunal also called for sustainable alternatives to sand extraction to balance development needs with ecological preservation. River in the Uttara Kannada district’s coastal zone. The government’s two wings were ordered by the bench to examine the locations and submit a report by July 26.
“The (department) is unable to say whether the transport dispatch licences they have issued are for newly mined sand or already excavated sand that is in the stockyard. Thus, we want to be clear that these kinds of operations cannot go on without the necessary authorities’ clearance,” the statement stated.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Karnataka government to take immediate action against illegal sand mining in the Sharavathi River. The tribunal issued the order following complaints about unregulated extraction, which threatens the river’s ecosystem and surrounding biodiversity.
Illegal sand mining has been a persistent issue in the region, leading to soil erosion, damage to aquatic habitats, and disruption of water flow. Environmental activists and local communities have raised concerns about its long-term impact on the Sharavathi River, which is a vital water source and home to diverse wildlife.
The NGT has instructed the state authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and implement strict measures to prevent further damage. It emphasized the need for better enforcement of environmental laws, regular monitoring, and penalties for violators. The tribunal also called for sustainable alternatives to sand extraction to balance development needs with ecological preservation.
The Karnataka government has assured the NGT that appropriate action will be taken, including increased surveillance and stricter penalties for illegal mining operations. Officials are expected to submit a compliance report detailing the steps taken to curb the issue.
The NGT’s intervention highlights the urgent need for sustainable sand mining practices to protect the environment while supporting infrastructure development.
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Construction, Infrastructure and Mining
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