Joint committee inspection report in Original Application No 196/2023 (CZ) Gaur singh Nishad Vs State of Chattisgarh & Others dated 16/02/2024.

The matter related to illegal sand mining and various environmental violation in Mahanadi river at village Saildeep in district Dhamtari.

No illegal sand mining and storage at village Saildeep was observed by the committee, however a temporary sand pathway was observed across the river that may obstacle for free flow of river during monsoon period.

The joint committee recommended that warning boards intimating the penalty for illegal mining and transportation of sand should be placed by the Mining Department at village Saildeep. The Water Resources Development Department of the state should also keep vigil on the river and if any kind of unauthorized construction or obstacle observed, immediately may take appropriate action. It was also recommended that precaution should be taken to ensure that the water stream flows unhindered and the process of natural river meandering does not get affected and local administration may remove the pathway which is made across the river near village Saildeep. All the project proponents of sand mining in Chhattisgarh must obtain consent to establish/consent to operate from CECB under Water Act, 1974, the Air Act, 1981.

District authorities shall strengthen the site inspections by the Revenue Department and Mining Department of state government at regular intervals for the mines as well as the stock yards. The mining department should ensure the compliance of Sustainable Sand Mining Guidelines, 2016 and Enforcement and Monitoring guidelines for sand mining, 2020, the report added.