The Meghalaya High Court has asked the State government to file an affidavit indicating the measures taken to ensure that the licensees of minor minerals adhere to the terms and conditions and that there is no illegal mining of sand or silt from the riverbeds or elsewhere without obtaining permission from the authorities.
In an order passed today, the full bench of the High Court also asked the State government to indicate the environmental impact assessment undertaken prior to the issuance of any license by way of a concession for minor minerals.
“One of the key areas where the State has to be vigilant is in how sand and silt, which have to be considered as minor minerals, are allowed to be mined from the riverbeds. The experience elsewhere in the country shows that large-scale and uncontrolled mining of riverbed sand results in the rivers being destroyed all together apart from the vehicular pollution caused to the water by the heavy vehicles brought by the licensees. It is also not abnormal for licensees to obtain permission over a much smaller area and in respect of a limited quantum to exploit a much larger area and mine much in excess of the quantum contemplated at the time of the grant of license. These areas have to be closely monitored by the State,” the High Court said.
The court also directed the State government to respond to the news item in The Shillong Times dated March 14, 2022 that in the Garo Hills area alone there are more than 500 spots where rampant illegal stone quarrying goes on without the local officials or the State administration being vigilant or taking any steps in such regard.
“The State should treat the news article as indicative and not exhaustive and report on such aspects on the adjourned date,” the High Court said. The next hearing on the matter will be held on April 19.
