Jaleswar: Following an order from the National Green Tribunal, Balasore Collector Ramesh Chandra Rout along with Sub-Collector Nilu Mohapatra and Tehsildar Abhimanyu Panda visited Sheikhsarai sand quarry in river Subarnarekha under Jaleswar block Saturday.
The officials also took stock of the situation arising out of sand mining in the river. They inspected some roads used for transporting sand in the area. The team also asked the leaseholder about various allegations related to sand mining.
The team’s visit followed an order issued by NGT, New Delhi, January 14, seeking a reply on alleged excessive sand mining at Sheikhsarai.
Haripad Manna, a local resident, had moved the NGT against sand mining by a leaseholder. The administration will submit a report on sand mining to the NGT.
Locals alleged violation of environment norms, air pollution in the area. Several riparian villages along Subarnarekha under Jaleswar block have been upset with the illegal operations over the years by the sand mining mafia from West Bengal despite opposition from Odisha.
Towards the second week of January, an expert team comprising regional director of CPCB (eastern zone) Dr RC Saxena, environmental scientist Dr Rita Shah, Dr PK Borei, Dr Biswajit Pal and chief engineer (environment) of OSPCB Dr Nihar Ranjan Sahu visited Bilashpur, Makidia, Kuanrpur, Totapada, Beherasahi, Makrampur, Gobarghata, Dakhinaprharajpur, Mohammednagar, Patna (A, B, C and D) and Sheikhsarai (A and B)
The team inspected the sand quarries in the river and found out how sand was being illegally quarried with swamp pumps and JCB machines. Rampant sanding mining has hit farmlands and embankments in the area.
The Principal Bench of the NGT had directed the District Magistrate (DM) of Balasore to ensure that all illegal activities in Subarnarekha and on its banks be stopped.
PNN