Despite strong objection from environmentalists, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) continues to hold public hearing regarding auctioning of sand ghats in the region on digital platform.
On Monday, the hearing of sand ghats in Nagpur district was chaired by additional district magistrate Ravindra Khajanchi.
During the meeting, many participants reportedly raised objection that complete information like public hearing notice, district survey report and environmental management plan were not available on the MPCB or district collector websites.
“The only document available was the executive summary having no mention of rivers on which the sand mining will take place. In absence of proper information, it became impossible to discuss technical issues,” stated a press release issued by the Vidarbha Environmental Action Group (VEAG).
Devendra Wankhede, Vidarbha convener of the Aam Aadmi Party, questioned the validity of conducting public hearing during lockdown period when it is not possible for important stakeholders to attend. Citing other alternatives like crushed stone sand and fly ash sand, Swapnil Wanjari from VNIT stated there was no need for river sand mining as it was detrimental for the environment.
Environmentalists have also opposed clubbing together a large number of sand ghats in one hearing. Sudhir Paliwal, convener of VEAG, stated, “Most ghats are on Pench and Kanhan rivers that are lifeline of Nagpur district. Water supply to Nagpur also comes from these two rivers. They are used as corridor by wild animals including tigers. These rivers are also habitat of crocodiles and many rare species of fishes. Sand mining in such area will lead to poaching on large scale.”
