Madhya Pradesh
Illegal Sand Mining
- 06 May 2024
- 1 min read
Why in News?
Recently, a police officer was hit by a tractor transporting illegally mined sand in Madhya Pradesh.
Key Points
- The illegal sand mining is rampant in Madhya Pradesh, with hundreds of dumpers transporting sand from the banks of the Son river.
- Sand mining is the removal of primary natural sand and sand resources (mineral sands and aggregates) from the natural environment (terrestrial, riverine, coastal, or marine) for extracting valuable minerals, metals, crushed stone, sand and gravel for subsequent processing.
- This activity, driven by various factors, poses serious threats to ecosystems and communities.
Son River
- The Son 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.
