Model Sand Mining Policy to be made in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: Minister for Mineral Resources, Industries and Commerce Rajendra Shukla said that conservation of Madhya Pradesh’s rivers and environment is first priority of the state government. He mentioned that sand has its own importance in mineral wealth. Speed of development will gain pace by providing sand in legal manner as per its demand. Shukla expressed this views at the concluding session of workshop held at EPCO campus- Bhopal focusing on “Sand Harvesting and Marketing Favourable to Rivers Ecology” today. Former Office Bearer of State Environment Impact Assessment Authority Waseem Akhtar, Joint Secretary Union Government Subhash Chandra, Controller of Mines Central Zone, Nagpur were also present in the concluding session.

Shukla stated that indiscriminate sand mining effects adversely on environment and ecology. Therefore, necessity to pay special attention for harvesting sand in rivers has come to the fore. He mentioned 1250 sand mines are identified in Narmada and other rivers of the state and 7 crore cubic meter sand is available in these mines. Out of these, only 450 mines have been approved for mining on contract.

Moreover, only One crore 60 lakh cubic meter sand was mined during the last fiscal year. Shukla said that only 40 percent of the total available reserve was utilized in the state. He mentioned that a model sand mining policy will be made in the state on the basis of conclusions of the workshop. Other States of the country will also get guidance from this policy, he added.

Chairman State Mining Corporation Shiv Choubey shared experiences of Narmada Seva Yatra in the workshop. Commissioner Bhopal Ajatshatru, Senior Officer of Forest department Ashish Shrivastava and Collector Hoshangabad Avinash Lavaniya informed about the deliberations and conclusions of various sessions held in the workshop.-WTN