Balasore: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has reportedly directed Odisha government to stop sand mining in Subarnarekha River along Jaleswar Tehsil in the district till further orders.
The direction came after the joint committee constituted by the Tribunal to probe into the allegations of environmental degradation in the area due to indiscriminate sand mining in Subarnarekha submitted its report on the same.
The locals had alleged that illegal and rampant sand mining in the region has resulted in the depletion of water level, change in the course of the river. Moreover, the approach road constructed inside the river is allegedly obstructing its natural flow.
Besides, the villagers had complained that they are being exposed to air pollution caused by the transportation of excavated sand in open truck.
Following the complaints of large-scale sand mining in the river, the NGT had in June formed a joint committee and asked the tribunal to submit a report after inspecting the site within 15 days.
(Edited By Pradeep Singh)
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