National Chambal Sanctuary, protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is located at the trijunction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. It is a vital bird and biodiversity area, categorised by its lotic ecosystem. This sanctuary offers a safe haven for over 320 species of resident and migratory birds, making it a proposed Ramsar site. Additionally, it serves as a significant breeding ground for gharials, the fish-eating crocodiles.
However, this sanctuary is under threat due to illegal sand mining operations disrupting its ecosystem and posing a danger to its wide variety of flora and fauna. This issue was discussed in a high-level meeting in Jaipur, where chief secretaries from the three states strategized ways to protect the sanctuary.
Sand Mining in India: An Overview
In India, sand is classified as a ‘minor mineral’ under The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act). The State Governments exercise administrative control over minor minerals. Due to an infrastructure development boom, the demand for sand, primarily sourced from rivers and coastal areas, has seen a significant increase.
To manage this surge and ensure sustainable practices, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has released the “Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines 2016”. These guidelines aim to promote scientific sand mining and eco-friendly practices.
Issues Arising From Sand Mining in India
Three significant issues arise from sand mining in India – water scarcity, floods, and illegal activities associated with unregulated sand mining.
Firstly, sand mining can lead to groundwater reserves depletion, causing water scarcity in surrounding regions. For instance, the Yamuna River in Yamuna Nagar district, Haryana, is facing a severe threat from mechanised and unsustainable stone and sand mining.
Secondly, excessive sand mining can render riverbeds shallow, increasing the risk of floods—an example being the recurring floods in the Kosi River due to rampant sand mining in Bihar.
Thirdly, unregulated sand mining often involves illegal activities like encroachment on public lands, corruption, and tax evasion.
Legislative Framework of Mining Sector in India
The Indian Constitution mandates that the state government owns the minerals located within their boundaries (as per List II, Serial No. 23) while the central government owns the minerals within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as per List I, Serial No. 54.
Under this mandate, the Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, was enacted. Additionally, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), guided by the UN treaty, regulates mineral exploration and extraction. As a treaty member, India has exclusive rights to explore polymetallic nodules over a 75000 sq. km area in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.
Joint State Action: A Step Towards Conservation
The joint action taken by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh is a significant measure in conserving the National Chambal Sanctuary, protecting the environment, and preserving our natural heritage for future generations. This multi-state effort reflects a determination towards sustainable practices, bringing an optimistic way forward for the unique flora and fauna of the sanctuary.