PANJIM: As illegal sand mining activities along river beds in North Goa continued despite the monsoon ban, Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has warned it would initiate stringent action against lease holders involved in violations.
DMG has decided to debar permit holders and their family members from grant of sand extraction licenses for nearly five years, if they are found involved in illegal extraction. The department also has powers to seize all canoes and vehicles used in the activity while imposing hefty fines.
In an order issued last week, DMG director Prasanna Acharya said the sand mining season has come to an end with effect from June 1 and the ban will be in force till September 30.
“As such the permit holders are hereby warned not to carry out any sand mining activity during above mentioned period failing which appropriate action will be taken against violators without any further notice,” he said.
Manual sand extraction is permitted in 24 clusters (both riverine and estuarine) in the State. Large scale illegal sand mining activities have been reported along river beds, especially in North Goa. In the last few days, illegal sand mining has been reported in Tiracol and Amona river belts.
