4-month sand mining ban in state to protect rivers
Patna: There will be no river sand mining in Bihar for four months till Oct 15. Even authorised leaseholders will not be allowed to extract sand during this period. The transport of sand outside the state is also prohibited.
However, the mines and geology department has assured that there will be no shortage of sand during the monsoon ban.
Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha, who also oversees the mines and geology portfolio, said on Sunday, "The sand mining will resume after monsoon. However, there will be no shortage of sand. I have asked the officials to keep a track on anyone demanding more than the prescribed rate and punish them."
The department has stockpiled over 30 lakh cubic feet (CFT) of sand near river ghats and several stockists have been licensed to store additional quantities.
Seized sand will also be made available for sale.
According to an official from the department, only mining is restricted during this period, not the transportation of already-stocked sand. Adequate reserves are available at the secondary loading points across the ghats.
Of the 457 river ghats identified for yellow sand extraction in Bihar, 161 were operational prior to the ban. During the prohibition period, the department's disaster management group will oversee operations to prevent illegal mining and maintain order.
This annual monsoon-season ban is implemented to safeguard the river ecosystem and curb unlawful mining. Even approved leaseholders are barred from extraction during this period.
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