Explainer: Yamuna’s flow diverted to illegally extract sand at Sonepat village
IllegaL mining in the Yamuna river, which forms the border between two states Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, is always a major issue in the state. The Yamuna, which enters Haryana at Yamunanagar district, traverses around 300 km in Haryana. Of that, the river covers 200 km from Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat to Sonepat district and around 100 km is covered in Faridabad and Palwal district.
The Yamuna enters Sonepat at Raksehra village and after around 45 km, it — at Dahisara village of Sonepat — enters Delhi. Now, the Yamuna is in the limelight for illegal mining of sand and minerals and obstructing its natural flow at Asadpur village of Sonepat.
The Haryana State Enforcement Bureau has booked the mining firm under various Sections on the basis of a complaint by Irrigation Department officials. A joint team — led by SDM Sonepat –- has also launched a probe into the illegal mining.
To whom was the mining contract allotted in Sonepat district?
The Mines and Geology Department has allotted the contract for the mining site to M/s Zelkova Buildkon Private Limited at Asadpur sand mining unit at the rate Rs 11.04 crore per annum for 10 years over 56.01 hectares. The letter of intent was issued on January 2, 2015, and the contract was executed on July 8, 2015. After getting environmental clearance, the company commenced mining operation in September 2017.
When did a team of Irrigation Department visit the mining site?
A team of Irrigation and Water Service Department led by RK Bodwal, Superintending Engineer, XEN Ashish Kaushik, XEN Gulshan Kumar and SDO Himanshu, visited the mining site on May 22.
What violations were observed by the Irrigation Department team?
Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Water Services, Delhi Division, in his report said, “Severe violations and illegal sand mining were observed by the Zelkova Buildkon Private Limited, the mining company, during the officials’ visit.” The team said that the company is illegally excavating sand directly from the active Yamuna river stream using heavy machinery.
The four-member officers’ team said that the company is violating the Environmental Protection Act, sand mining guidelines, National Green Tribunal’s guidelines and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act.
The team — in its report — said that the M/s Zelkova Buildkon Pvt Ltd is indulging in illegal mining from the active Yamuna river stream by using heavy machinery. The natural flow of the river has also been diverted to extract sand. Several unauthorised paths have been carved out for the purpose of illegal extraction. No proper boundary pillars were found to ascertain the actual area under licence. Ashish Kumar, XEN, Irrigation and Water Service Department, said that mining is not allowed in the active Yamuna river stream and the natural flow of the river can’t be obstructed or diverted. These are serious violations.
Under which Sections was the mining company booked?
Following the complaint of Irrigation Department officials, the Haryana State Enforcement Bureau (HSEB) has booked Zelkova company under Sections 303 (2), 326(A) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and 21 (1) of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The complainant has provided geo-tagged photographs and videos and the inspection report along with the complaint to the enforcement bureau.
What comes next?
Following the reports of the Irrigation Department, Deputy Commissioner Dr Manoj Kumar Yadav formed a special committee under the supervision of SDM Sonepat Subhash Kumar along with Mining Officer Anil Kumar; Nirmal Kumar, Regional Officer, Pollution Control Board. The special panel visited the site on Monday. The SDM has sought reports from all the officials and also recorded the statements of the officials who visited the mining site on May 22. The report is yet to be finalised.
Haryana Tribune