Daily Current Affairs : 27-December-2023
Illegal sand mining has recently come under scrutiny in Bihar, where the police conducted a major crackdown on sand smugglers. This article explores the dimensions of sand mining in India, highlighting its sources, factors contributing to illegal practices, consequences, and the initiatives taken by the government to curb this environmental menace.
Sand Mining: Overview and Sources in India:
- Definition: Sand mining involves the extraction of primary natural sand and sand resources from various environments.
- Sources: Riverbeds, lakes, reservoirs, agricultural fields, coastal/marine areas, historical river channels, and manufactured sand (M-Sand).
Factors, Consequences, and Challenges in Sand Mining:
- Factors Contributing to Illegal Sand Mining:
- Inadequate regulations and enforcement.
- High demand in the construction industry.
- Rapid urbanization and population growth.
- Influence of sand mafias and corrupt practices.
- Collusion between authorities and illegal operators.
- Limited adoption of sustainable alternatives like M-Sand.
- Ineffective implementation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
- Limited public awareness.
- Consequences of Sand Mining:
- Altered riverbeds, increased erosion, and habitat disruption.
- Stream channel instability and loss of native species.
- Flooding, sedimentation, and impact on aquatic ecosystems.
- Groundwater table depletion and water scarcity.
- Habitat disruption leading to biodiversity loss.
- Challenges:
- Inadequate regulations, corruption, and lack of awareness contribute to the persistence of illegal sand mining, exacerbating environmental and societal consequences.
Initiatives to Prevent Sand Mining in India:
- Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act):
- Legal classification of sand as a “minor mineral.”
- State control over minor minerals, empowering governments to prevent illegal mining.
- Recent Amendment in 2023 for stronger regulations.
- 2006 Environment Impact Assessment (EIA):
- Approval mandate for all sand mining activities, even in areas under 5 hectares.
- Aimed at addressing the severe environmental impact on ecosystems.
- Sustainable Sand Management Guidelines (SSMG) 2016:
- Issued by MoEFCC to ensure environmentally sustainable and socially responsible mining.
- Objectives include conservation of river equilibrium, prevention of pollution, and avoidance of groundwater depletion.
- Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining 2020:
- Uniform monitoring protocol for sand mining activities across India.
- Coverage includes identification of sand mineral sources, dispatch procedures, and end-use monitoring.
- Recommends the use of advanced surveillance technologies for effective monitoring.
Important Points:
Overview of Sand Mining in India:
- Extraction of primary natural sand from various environments.
- Sources include riverbeds, lakes, reservoirs, agricultural fields, coastal areas, historical river channels, and manufactured sand (M-Sand).
Factors Contributing to Illegal Sand Mining:
- Inadequate regulations and weak enforcement.
- High demand in the construction industry.
- Rapid urbanization and population growth.
- Influence of sand mafias and corruption.
- Collusion between authorities and illegal operators.
- Limited adoption of sustainable alternatives like M-Sand.
- Ineffective implementation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
- Limited public awareness.
Consequences of Sand Mining:
- Altered riverbeds, increased erosion, and habitat disruption.
- Stream channel instability and loss of native species.
- Flooding, sedimentation, and impact on aquatic ecosystems.
- Groundwater table depletion and water scarcity.
- Habitat disruption leading to biodiversity loss.
Challenges in Combating Illegal Sand Mining:
- Inadequate regulations and enforcement.
- Corruption and collusion with illegal operators.
- Lack of public awareness and monitoring mechanisms.
Government Initiatives to Prevent Sand Mining:
- Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).
- Legal classification of sand as a “minor mineral.”
- State control and recent 2023 amendment for stronger regulations.
- 2006 Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).
- Approval mandate for all sand mining activities.
- Aimed at addressing environmental impact on ecosystems.
- Sustainable Sand Management Guidelines (SSMG) 2016.
- Issued by MoEFCC for environmentally sustainable and socially responsible mining.
- Objectives include conservation of river equilibrium and prevention of pollution.
- Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining 2020.
- Uniform monitoring protocol for sand mining activities.
- Use of advanced surveillance technologies for effective monitoring.
Why In News
Recently, Bihar police arrested sand smugglers in a major crackdown against illegal sand mining, highlighting the government’s commitment to preserving natural resources and enforcing stringent measures to curb environmentally detrimental activities.
MCQs about Combating Illegal Sand Mining in India
-
What is the primary source of sand in India?
A. Agricultural Fields
B. Coastal/Marine Areas
C. Lakes and Reservoirs
D. All of the Above
-
What are the consequences of sand mining ?
A. Groundwater Table Elevation
B. Stream Channel Stability
C. Habitat Disruption and Biodiversity Loss
D. Limited Public Awareness
-
What is the main challenge in combating illegal sand mining?
A. Strong Regulatory Frameworks
B. Collaboration with Sand Mafias
C. Public Awareness and Monitoring
D. Effective Environmental Impact Assessments
-
Which government initiative is aimed at environmentally sustainable and socially responsible mining?
A. Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act)
B. Sustainable Sand Management Guidelines (SSMG) 2016
C. 2006 Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
D. Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining 2020
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