Env. Ministry forms panel to look into sandmining in G B Nagar

With IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal's suspension bringing into focus the sand mafia menace in Gautam Budh Nagar, Environment Ministry today set up a three-member committee to enquire into adverse environmental impact of alleged illegal sand mining in the UP district.
Reflecting the urgency, the three-member committee has been asked to submit its report by August 9.
It will seek to ascertain the "factual position" about the allegations of illegal mining in the area and suggest further course of action in the matter, a government statement said.
The committee will be headed by Saroj, a director in the Ministry, with deputy collector of mines of IBM Dehradun office G C Meena and director in the regional office of Environment Ministry in Lucknow K. K. Garg as members.

The development comes in wake of various reports highlighting the menace of alleged illegal sand mining in Gautam Budh Nagar with the statement adding "illegal mining has serious environmental and ecological repercussions."
It also referred to reports in print and electronic media with visuals of heavy machinery being used in illegal sand mining.

Nagpal, the 28-year-old SDM of G B Nagar, who led the crackdown on sand mining mafia in her district, was suspended on July 27 ostensibly for ordering demolition of a mosque's wall allegedly without following the due process.
According to the statement, no sand mining from any mining lease area can take place without obtaining prior environment clearance.

The Environment Ministry deals with the cases of environment clearance in respect of projects of mining of minor minerals with lease area equal to or above 50 hectare.