Sand-mining from rivers in the district has been banned by District Collector Ratan Kelkar from June 20 to July 31.

An official press release here on Tuesday said the decision to ban sand-mining during the period was taken to ensure the availability of sand and to protect rivers. The ban period would be extended if necessary, the release said, adding that the river banks and organic resources in the rivers in the district were facing a serious threat from unauthorised sand-mining.