Manipur government to ban mining in riverbeds using machines

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday informed the ongoing budget session that the state cabinet has resolved to ban mining of sand, etc. using machines in the riverbeds. However manual mining will be streamlined in consultation with concerned departments considering the livelihood of the manual labourers.

Biren Singh was replying to a call attention motion by opposition congress MLA Surjakumar Okram on the illegal mining leading to deterioration of Thoubal River on the 7th Day of the ongoing 12th Manipur Assembly.

He informed that the government is also taking up steps to accommodate the labourers who depends their livelihood on mining, in MNRGES (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme) through district administration.

Singh also informed the house that the government has recently conducted an eviction drive of toilets constructed on riverbanks while cleaning the Imphal river banks from Kangpokpi to Imphal. He admitted that Singda Dam is drying up because of the massive deforestation around the water reservoir which is leading to scarcity of drinking water in Imphal area.

The Chief Minister further informed the house that the government has taken up steps from time to time by arresting those individuals involved in illegal mining and quarrying especially at Thoubal River.

The people are illegally mining sand and others for survival, neglecting the consequences that affect the future generation, he said adding that any activities that are disastrous to the environment will be seriously dealt with as per the law. He informed the house that locations are being identified by the Industry Department and Forest Department. Proposals are sent to the Centre for consent to preserve the areas, he added. Imphal, Feb. 28 (EMN)