Ramesh seeks report on illegal mining

After blaming Uttarakhand for death of Swami Nigamanand, environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday asked the state government to stop illegal mining immediately and inform the ministry about the steps taken. HT reports.

After blaming Uttarakhand for death of Swami Nigamanand, environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday asked the state government to stop illegal mining immediately and inform the ministry about the steps taken.

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In a letter to Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, Ramesh said the powers to stop illegal sand mining had been delegated to the state government, which should get it stopped immediately in Ganga riverbed in Haridwar.

“It is unfortunate that in spite of my repeated requests, no effective steps appears to have been taken,” he said, adding that media reports confirm that there has been inaction on part of the state government.

Issuing another curb, the environment ministry issued a draft notification to declare 135 kms of river Bhagirathi, a tributary of the river Ganga, from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi, as ecologically sensitive area.

It would mean that no hydro power projects of more than 25 mw of power can be allowed on the river in future and curb on extraction of water for industrial use. Other prohibited activities include stone quarrying, deforestation and allowing polluting industries near the river.