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Strong steps will be initiated against landlords who allow unauthorised mining. Check-posts will be set up at those riverbanks from where junkar services operate.

Thiruvananthapuram , Nov. 14

THE State Government has notified the amendment to the Kerala Conservation of Riverbeds and Control of Sand Mining Rules aimed at conserving the State's rivers, most of which are `mined to prospective death', and assessing and updating the extent of sand reserves that could be possibly exploited by three-yearly `sand audits' carried out by specifically assigned agencies.

A Government official said here that the rules would now require proper and detailed documentation on the quantity of sand removed from a riverbank and the final destinations where it was being ferried.

As per the amended rules, separate passes would be issued in respect of the right to lift sand from specified portions of a riverbank.

Each country-craft resorting to mining at each such point would be assigned a separate board for identification and the miners would be given identity cards. Strong steps will be initiated against landlords who allow unauthorised mining from areas in respect of which they enjoy the right to possession.

Check-posts will be set up at those riverbanks from where junkar (large water crafts carrying vehicles from bank to bank) services operate.

The amendment also stipulates that the river management fund can be tapped for purposes ranging from urgent ban conservation necessitated by natural disasters, drought and torrential rain, relief and rehabilitation of those who are affected by the calamities, shutting down banks where further mining would not be allowed and building embankments for conservation purposes.

The sand audit would have to be conducted by specified agencies such as the Centre for Earth Sciences Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, and the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management , Kozhikode.

The quantum of sand that is assessed could be mined from a bank only after paying up the applicable royalty.

The needs of the local people need to be taken care of while auctioning sand.

The auction should be held in the presence of the members, the Secretary to the local self-government body and the Tehsildar.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

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