The Battle Against Sand Mining in India
Illegal sand mining is a growing issue in India, with recent attention spotlighted by the crackdown on sand smugglers in Bihar. This operation near Sone River marks a significant move in the fight against powerful syndicates involved in illicit sand mining activities. Let’s take a closer look at this issue, its implications, and the steps being taken to combat it.
Understanding Sand Mining
Sand mining refers to the extraction of natural sand and sand resources from various environments for subsequent processing. These valuable resources include minerals, metals, crushed stone, sand, and gravel. However, this process could pose significant threats to ecosystems and communities. The Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines (SSMMG) 2016 suggests that India’s primary sand sources come from rivers, lakes, agricultural fields, coastal/marine sand, Palaeo-channels, and Manufactured Sand (M-Sand).
Factors Driving Illegal Sand Mining
Several factors contribute to the proliferation of illegal sand mining. First is the lack of regulation and enforcement, coupled with insufficient regulatory frameworks. Second, the construction industry’s high demand for sand fuels illegal extraction, putting tremendous pressure on riverbeds and coastal regions. Corruption and mafia influence also play significant roles in continuing these illegal practices by forming alliances with authorities to undermine efforts to regulate the industry. Another contributing factor is the limited adoption of sustainable alternatives like manufactured sand (M-Sand). Lastly, ineffective implementation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) allows unauthorized extraction to go unnoticed.
Consequences of Sand Mining
Uncontrolled sand mining can lead to severe environmental and socio-economic impacts. These include erosion and habitat disruption, increased flooding and sedimentation, groundwater depletion, and loss of biodiversity. According to the Geological Survey of India (GSI), unregulated sand mining alters riverbeds, causing detrimental effects on aquatic habitats. Additionally, deep pits resulting from sand mining can affect local drinking water wells, leading to water scarcity in surrounding areas.
Initiatives to Prevent Sand Mining
The Indian government has implemented various measures to prevent illegal sand mining. One such law is the Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), which classifies sand as a “minor mineral”. The MMDR Amendment Act, 2023, aims to further strengthen this law. In 2006, the Supreme Court mandated that approval is required for all sand mining activities, even in areas less than 5 hectares. The Sustainable Sand Management Guidelines (SSMG) 2016 were also issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to promote responsible mining. Finally, the Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining 2020, introducing uniform protocols for monitoring sand mining across India, have been established.
The Sone River Context
The Sone River, the Ganges’ 2nd largest southern tributary, originates near Amarkantak Hill in Chhattisgarh and runs through several Indian states before meeting the Ganges in Bihar. It’s one of the hotspots where prominent dams have been built and where recent sand smuggling incidents have sparked nationwide attention.
As the issue continues to pose severe threats to our environment, authorities are progressively stepping up their efforts to combat illegal sand mining activities. While there have been significant strides, much still needs to be done to protect India’s natural resources and ecological balance. UPSC Civil Service Examination aspirants might find the study of coastal sand mining impacts a crucial part of their preparation, as it’s been previously included in their examination.
