Bihar
Illegal Sand Mining
- 30 Dec 2023
- 1 min read
Why in News?
Recently, Bihar police arrested sand smugglers in a major crackdown against illegal sand mining.
- This operation, near the Sone River, signifies a significant step in the ongoing battle against powerful criminal syndicates involved in illicit sand mining activities.
Key Points
- Initiatives to Prevent Sand Mining in India are Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), 2006 Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Sustainable Sand Management Guidelines (SSMG) 2016 and Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining 2020.
- The Sone River, a perennial river in central India, is the Ganges' 2nd-largest southern tributary.
- Originating near Amarkantak Hill in Chhattisgarh, it flows through Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, forming waterfalls at the Amarkantak plateau.
- It merges with the Ganges near Patna, Bihar.
- Tributaries include Ghaghar, Johilla, Chhoti Mahanadi, Banas, Gopad, Rihand, Kanhar, and North Koel River.
- Prominent dams include the Bansagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh and the Rihand Dam near Pipri in Uttar Pradesh.
