Niuland Deputy Commissioner Sara S Jamir has ordered a complete ban on the use of heavy machinery for sand mining in Chathe river.
Share
DIMAPUR — The Deputy Commissioner of Niuland, Sara S Jamir, has ordered a complete ban on the use of heavy machinery for the extraction of boulders, gravel, sand, and other riverbed resources within the jurisdiction of Niuland district, specifically along the stretch of the Chathe river.
In an order, the deputy commissioner stated that it had come to knowledge that there is "rampant extraction" of materials causing significant environmental degradation and disruption of the ecosystem along the Chathe river despite a previous office order dated June 17, 2025.
The order noted that the mining activities are detrimental to public interest and violative of the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986; the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; and Rules 49 and 50 of the Nagaland Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2004. It added that these activities can be deemed illegal in the absence of an authorised permit or licence.
Also read: Wokha Town Council bans borewell drilling
The ban prohibits the use of heavy machinery without obtaining relevant permissions or licences granted under the Nagaland (Ownership and Transfer of Land and its Resources) Act, 1990, and the Nagaland Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2004.
The order warned that any individual, group, firm, or organisation violating the order shall be liable to penal action, including arrest, seizure and confiscation of machinery, tools, equipment, and vehicles, as well as the imposition of fines and prosecution under relevant sections of the law.