The state government’s stringent moves for environment protection have ruled out the possibility of sand mining at 42 out of the 52 proposed locations in the district.
This year, the district administration has set a target of Rs 96 crore from mining of minor minerals. After the onset of monsoon, the administration identified as many as 52 sites where mining could take place. However, the stringent norms of the state government have led to cancellation of as many as 42 of these sites. Now, there are only ten sites that can go under the hammer during the mining season beginning October. Six of the sites are in Malegaon taluka, two are in Dindori taluka, one each in Trimbakeshwar and Kalwan taluka and they can fetch around 19,000 brass of sand during the season. “We had identified 52 sites for mining across the district. The same were presented to environment committee that has struck down 42 sites citing government norms, NGT guidelines. As a result of which, only ten sites are likely to go under the hammer,” a senior officer from district administration said on the condition of anonymity.
