Boko, 4 April: The Illegal sand mining has already created massive problems in various sectors, such as agriculture and the habitats of endangered species living in water, among others, which are now affecting local communities.
Despite the numerous adverse impacts of illegal sand mining, some individuals persist in mining and smuggling sand to other areas for construction projects, lining their pockets by manipulating authorities.
This issue came to light after concerned locals reported illegal sand mining in the Morakolohi River, located within the Chamaria Revenue Circle in the Puthimari village area, in a severe manner. They alleged that due to sand mining, many river dolphins have already perished. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the Nagarbera River Conservation Forest Office and Bamunigaon Forest Protection Range Office, both under the West Kamrup Divisional Forest Office. However, the State Forest Department has been inactive in addressing this matter for unknown reasons.
When confronted, the smugglers claimed to have bribed authorities with large sums, making them immune to any action against their illegal activities.
According to locals in the Chamaria area, smugglers use pump motors for sand mining. Over 15 to 20 dumpers transport sand during the night, while more than 20 tractors operate during the day.
Residents are distressed not only about the river dolphins in the Morakolohi River but also shocked by the State Forest Department’s inaction in protecting the endangered species.
The Gangetic river dolphin, designated both the national and state aquatic animal of Assam, is a Schedule-1 species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and classified as ‘endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
River dolphins depend on healthy river ecosystems for survival, but human activities such as sand mining, damming, dredging, and pollution have severely impacted these ecosystems.
Despite the area being only 1 kilometer from the Chamaria Revenue Circle, 2 kilometers from the Chamaria Police Outpost, and 20 kilometers from the Nagarbera River Conservation Forest Office, the state government has failed to take action against illegal sand mining and transportation.
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