Pune: The district mining officer of Gadchiroli said that 12,500 cubic feet of sand and soil was excavated from two spots on government land and riverbank of Paralkota by sand mafia during a hearing of the National Green Tribunal’s western bench on Wednesday. The officer stated in his affidavit, “The spot was inspected on Dec 29, 2023 and it was found that at Paralkota river, several unknown sand mafias had illegally excavated red soil and cut trees from dense forest areas, made a temporary road on Paralkota riverbed and transported tractors.” The principal bench of the tribunal on Feb 1 this year had taken a suo-motu cognizance of a TOI article, titled “Sand mafia builds roads to riverbed, officials unearth it”, published on Jan 3.
The revenue department had found a temporary road allegedly constructed by sand mafia in Bhamragarh taluka of Gadchiroli. The bench had then sought replies from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, principal chief conservator of forests (HoFF) of Maharashtra, water resources department of the state govt, and collector and district magistrate of Gadchiroli, after which it was referred to the western bench. On May 5, the pollution body stated in an affidavit that during a joint inspection by additional district collector, Aheri, tehsildar, Bhamragad, mandal officer, Bhamragad, and talathi of Bhamragad, it was found that about 60 brass sand excavations had been done by the party and 65 brass soil excavations by a machine in the riverbed of Paralkota, amounting to 12,500 cubic feet of soil and sand under the forest department’s jurisdiction.
The measurement of the site was conducted through deputy superintendent of land records, Bhamragarh, on Jan 5 this year. It was found that the area lies in the jurisdiction of Hemalkasa village of Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. “In view of the report received from the district collector, Gadchiroli, we deem it appropriate to direct the learned registrar of this tribunal to forward this matter before the hon’ble principal bench of this tribunal for appropriate orders as regards transfer thereof to the central zone bench for further action,” said the bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Vijay Kulkarni.
We also published the following articles recently Gadchiroli officials find sand, soil theft of 12,500 cubic feet from Paralkota riverbed and forest land The district mining officer of Gadchiroli informed the National Green Tribunal about the illegal excavation of 12,500 cubic feet of sand and soil by mafias from Paralkota riverbank. The tribunal took action following a news article, prompting Maharashtra authorities to investigate and confirm the illegal activities. An FIR was filed, leading to further proceedings.
Canoe capsizes at Talpona beach due to sand deposits A canoe carrying at least 12 fishermen capsized 10 meters from the wharf at Talpona beach due to sand deposits. All fishermen escaped unhurt. Local authorities have been urged to address the recurring issue of sand deposits and narrow access paths, which hinder emergency responses.
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The incident has led to widespread outrage and strikes by doctors, urging authorities for swift action..
