The Rajasthan government has constituted six task forces to curb illegal sand mining, transportation and storage in the catchment areas of the Jojari, Bandi and Luni rivers. The move aims to strengthen monitoring of mining activities, ensure compliance with environmental regulations and prevent violations of judicial and regulatory directions.
The task forces have been established in Sirohi, Sojat City, Jalore, Barmer, Jodhpur and Gotan. They will regularly inspect mining sites and monitor the activities of leaseholders to ensure that sand extraction is carried out in accordance with approved environmental clearances and prescribed mining conditions.
Aparna Arora, Additional Chief Secretary (Mines and Petroleum), said the teams had been instructed to ensure compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the High-Level Ecosystem Oversight Committee.
Monitoring Mining Depth and Riverbank Restrictions
The task forces will focus on identifying violations related to excessive excavation, mining near riverbanks and extraction below the water level. Under the prescribed conditions, mining in river areas must not exceed a depth of three metres.
The teams will also check whether mining leaseholders maintain the required distance from riverbanks and comply with environmental clearance conditions. Extraction of sand below the water surface will also come under regular inspection.
Any violation identified during field inspections will be reported, and the task forces will take appropriate action under the applicable legal provisions. The government has directed the teams to strengthen field-level monitoring and submit reports on non-compliance.
The initiative is part of the state’s zero-tolerance approach towards illegal mining activities. The teams will follow the Central government’s Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining, 2020, which provide directions for monitoring and regulating sand extraction.
Task Forces Empowered Under Mining Laws
The government has empowered the task forces to initiate action under Section 23B of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and relevant provisions of the Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017.
Each task force will be headed by an officer of the Assistant Mining Engineer rank. The team will also include a geologist, mining foreman and surveyor to support inspections, technical assessments and monitoring activities.
Officials and personnel from other areas have also been included in the teams to maintain transparency in enforcement operations. Additionally, the Additional Director (Vigilance) at the department headquarters has been appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate their activities.
Arora directed the officers and personnel assigned to the task forces to ensure strict implementation of the prescribed guidelines and take action against violations. She also stated that negligence in carrying out enforcement responsibilities would not be tolerated.
Focus on River Ecosystem Protection
Illegal sand mining in river catchment areas can affect river channels, disturb natural sediment movement and contribute to erosion of riverbanks. Excessive excavation can also affect groundwater conditions and the ecological balance of surrounding areas.
The formation of six task forces is intended to improve enforcement through regular inspections, technical monitoring and coordinated action against violations. By focusing on mining depth, riverbank buffer distances and restrictions on underwater extraction, the government aims to ensure that permitted mining activities remain within regulatory limits.
The initiative also reinforces the need for mining leaseholders to comply with environmental conditions and court directions. Regular reporting and coordination through the designated nodal officer are expected to strengthen oversight across the identified locations.
The effectiveness of the initiative will depend on consistent field inspections and timely action against violations, particularly in the river catchment areas of western Rajasthan.
