AGARTALA, May 29 (TIWN): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned mining or removal of sand from river beds across the country, shortage of sand affecting construction activity in Tripura. The state government has now decided to approach the tribunal to present its side.

In its recent orders, the tribunal had said that clearance has to be obtained from the ministry of environment and forests or State Environment Impact Assessment Authority. Following the ban, lifting of sand in the state has been closed, resulting in a huge gap between demand and supply. Due to shortage of sand construction activity in public and private sector is affected , sources said.

Speaking with TIWN on banning of sand mining, Prof Mihir Deb chairman of Tripura State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) told NGT on 5 August 2013 banned mining or removal of sand from river beds across the country without license and Environmental Clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. 

However, Prof Deb said that the Supreme Court in February 2012 directed states to grant lease for mining of minor minerals including sand, gravel, clay, marble and other stones - even in a less than five hectares area only after getting environmental clearances from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest. Earlier, plots which were less than five hectares didn’t needed any permission for mining.

The new regulations have meant hardship for thousands in the area, including truck owners, construction workers, traders and others who are indirectly linked to sand mining. Most are finding it hard to get by on restricted mining and are doing whatever work they can find to get by.