Our Correspondent
Imphal, Aug. 4 (EMN): The extraction of sand from river beds with required environmental safeguards needs to be regulated to ensure its availability for the infrastructural development of the state, said Textiles, Commerce and Industry Principal Secretary P Vaiphei.
Speaking at the awareness programme on ‘Mining of Minor Minerals in Manipur,’ he said the demand for sand which was classified as minor mineral has increased over the years and extraction of sand at unsustainable levels far exceeding the replenishment rates has lead to an increase in water pollution and impacted the biodiversity.
The programme was organised by the department of Textiles, Commerce and Industry, in association with Forest and Environment and Water Resources department at the District Industries Centre (DIC) complex, Porompat, in Imphal East District on August 3.
In respect of hill areas it is mandatory to obtain environmental clearance and forest clearance from the concerned authority.
Individuals interested in the extraction or quarrying operation of minerals can approach either Director (Trade, Commerce & Industries) or the General Manager of DIC, he said.
Provisional quarry license permit can be obtained with due submission of the mining plan.
General manager of DIC have been authorised by an order of the government to help and assist the sirector in all respect. All the DC’s have been sensitised on the issue and have been instructed to sensitize the SDO’s, SDC’s and all the officers in the districts.
In the hills areas, permits are also necessary for stones which are not only extracted from the rivers, but also from the mountains/hills.
The National Green Tribunal has prohibited extraction of Sand from Sekmai river in the year 2013, which is still in force.
Trade, Commerce and Industries Director C Arthur Worchuiyo informed that permit is mandatory even for extraction of minerals on patta land and interested individuals may submit the prescribe form along with the mining plan to the Director.
Conservator of Forest Joykumar Singh said that for forest clearance can be obtained online under Forest Conservation Act.
In a power point presentation on “The Manipur Minor Minerals Consensus Rules, 2012”, Geologist W Inaocha Singh said that to extend the rules in the entire state of Manipur, a gazette notification has already been published and came to effect from March 7, 2013.
Some of the conditions for quarry which include among others, granting permission for provisional quarrying lease if application is found genuine, payment of INR 1,000 under rule 34 as preliminary expense. Security deposit of INR 3,000 under rule 35 and financial assurance at INR 15,000 per hectare or minimum INR 50,000 if area is more than 4 hectares under rule no 40.
