Reining in Illegal Mining

By issuing a notification warning of strict action against unauthorised riverbed mining and the washing of rocks quarried from hillsides in rivers and streams within its jurisdiction, the Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO) has exposed the failure of the authorities concerned in controlling illegal mining in the state. It may be recalled that the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur has imposed a complete ban on the use of heavy machinery for the extraction of sand, gravel, boulders and other materials along the Chathe River and Dhansiri River, citing unabated mining at the cost of environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, water contamination, and damage to infrastructure. It warned that individuals, groups, and firms engaging in mining operations without valid permits would be penalised under various central and state Acts. It has also constituted a Monitoring Team to oversee compliance with the order. Similarly, the Chümoukedima district administration too has formed a District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) and Sub-Division Level Enforcement Committees for the Chathe River and its tributaries. On paper, everything is in place to curb illegal mining activities, but the same cannot be said about the reality on the ground. The CYO has alleged that individuals, contractors and machinery operators continue riverbed mining despite prohibitions, while cautioning that violators could face severe penalties, besides confiscation of machinery, tools and transport vehicles. If this allegation is true, the authorities concerned should get to the bottom of the matter. A law without action only emboldens antisocial elements to continue illegal activities.

It is a shame that a civil society organisation has had to take matters into its own hands because of the inaction of the government machinery. The state government must take the matter seriously and hold the monitoring panels accountable if any negligence is found before its rivers become a threat to public safety. Also, the involvement of mafias and influential individuals cannot be ruled out, as cartels are often linked to such illegal activities in other states. The issue demands urgent attention as the consequences of unregulated extraction of riverbed materials can be far-reaching. It can trigger landslides, endanger aquatic life and accelerate riverbank erosion. It can also disrupt irrigation networks, alter river courses and threaten the stability of infrastructure like bridges and roads. Deep pits left behind by riverbed mining can also pose drowning risks. The frequent riverbank collapses along National Highway 29 in the Tsiedukhru Range serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of removing natural barriers. It is high time the government stopped these illegal activities before the damage becomes irreversible. Half-hearted implementation of prohibitory orders will only further erode public trust in enforcement institutions.