The Saharanpur-Shamli region, known for its natural beauty and agriculturally fertile lands and unique climatic conditions, has been in danger for the past few decades. The region along the banks of the Yamuna River has been silently bearing the brunt of illegal sand mining. This nefarious activity has caused severe harm to the cultivable land, riverbeds, local communities and their livelihoods. The failure of successive governments, political complicity, and administrative corruption, heavy profits have been a boon factor in the thriving of this illegal industry.
Social worker Dharambir Singh Saroha alleges that illegal sand mining amounting to 28 thousand crore rupees occurred at 218 locations along the Yamuna River between 2000 and 2016 from Saharanpur to Delhi. He claims to have submitted this information to the government, High Court, Supreme Court, and National Green Tribunal (NGT) through four thousand petitions, and he possesses the acknowledgement of their receipt.
Residents of the Behat area in Saharanpur have submitted a letter to the local administration, urgently calling for a halt to illegal mining activities along the Yamuna River. The letter highlights the alarming excavation of pits reaching depths of 25 to 40 feet within private mining leases. Furthermore, it raises concerns about illegal mining operations occurring under the cover of night, bypassing royalty payments. This appeal underscores the pressing need for stricter enforcement of mining regulations to protect the environment and ensure lawful practices in the region.
The Human Cost
The Mallah community, traditionally engaged in farming, has been severely affected by illegal sand mining. Their fertile lands have been eroded, and crops like watermelon, muskmelon, and cucumber have been damaged. The local administration’s laxity in enforcing regulations, including permitting heavy machinery use, has exacerbated the issue. This has led to deep pits, which pose significant dangers during the rainy season.
Newsclick has reported that the Mallahs are trapped in a cycle of debt and poverty, with many contemplating migration as they face the prospect of leaving behind their villages and traditional way of life. River activist Mustaquim Kewat has called upon the government to intervene and provide alternative livelihood opportunities for the Mallahs, who are the most affected by this crisis.
Contrary to regulations, the Mallahs are now prohibited from clearing sand and gravel from the riverbanks after the monsoon without prior permission from the local administration. Instead, the administration has hired contractors who use heavy machinery beyond permitted limits, leading to the creation of deep pits that damage cultivable land.
Tragically, the dumpers used to transport the illegally mined sand have also been involved in road rage incidents that have claimed innocent lives. This loss of life is the human cost of illegal sand mining, as law enforcement agencies attempting to crack down on the illegal miners often violate the rights of other people.
In Saharanpur, a dumper, reportedly returning from illegal mining, crushed two scooter riders, leading to public outrage and demands for justice. Such incidents underscore the urgency of addressing illegal sand mining and its consequences.
Corruption and Cases
In 2019, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated a case against two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, Ajay Kumar Singh and Pawan Kumar, currently serving as secretaries in the Uttar Pradesh government, along with 10 others. This case pertained to alleged illegal sand mining activities that occurred between 2012 and 2015 in Saharanpur. The investigation focused on leases granted for sand mining in violation of government orders.
The CBI has been investigating illegal mining in several districts since 2017, highlighting the widespread nature of this problem. However, some see these crackdowns as driven by political motivations rather than genuine concern for stopping illegal sand mining.
Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took action on a grievance filed against M/s Star Mines in Saharanpur. The complaint highlighted the extensive damage to the environment and air pollution caused by unscientific and illegal mining practices. It was revealed that the company had exceeded permissible limits, and the NGT, in a recent order, prohibited further mining without a fresh appraisal as required by law. This incident exposed the laxity of authorities in properly enforcing rules and regulations.
In 2016, reports confirmed the continuous extraction of riverbed materials, raising concerns among local residents. A local politician was alleged to have created 111 fake companies engaged in illegal mining activities worth millions of rupees daily. This prompted the National Green Tribunal to impose a 45-day ban on illegal sand mining and the extraction of minor minerals from the Yamuna River, along with a hefty fine on leaseholders responsible for excessive unauthorized mining and riverbed damage in Saharanpur.
Two individuals were recently arrested in Saharanpur for creating fake royalty forms, leading to significant government revenue losses. These individuals manipulated original forms to overstate the weight of goods, receiving payments in return.
Administrative Laxity and Connivance
Illegal sand mining has thrived in Saharanpur due to the indifference of local authorities and law enforcement agencies. In one recent incident, the mining mafia surrounded the vehicle of the Naib Tehsildar and his team, emptied the already seized dumper on the spot, and drove away with it towards Haryana.
In 2021, the district mining officer of Shamli was accused of corruption and involvement in illegal mining activities. A contractor alleged that their vehicles, despite having the necessary permissions, were being seized, even when empty, and they were pressured to share their profits with mining department officers.
Complainants face threats from mining mafia and challenges from the local administration. An absurd incident has come to light where the Saharanpur district administration is demanding documentary evidence from the complainants to substantiate claims of irregularities without initiating any investigations into the matter.
Technology at Work
Efforts to curb the illegal transportation of mineral materials have included the use of e-challans worth about Rs 3.53 crore issued for 1390 mineral-laden vehicles through electronic check gates installed in the Saharanpur district. This system has recovered Rs 1.25 crore from those transporting minerals without the proper forms or e-transit passes. However, experts believe that the sand mafia has found alternative routes to bypass these electronic check gates, and a lot more is to be done to knock down this illegal industry.
The illegal sand mining crisis in Saharanpur-Shamli paints a grim picture of the human cost, administrative failures, and corruption that have allowed this illicit trade to thrive. The government must take immediate action to address the plight of the people like the Mallah community, enforce regulations, and hold corrupt officials accountable.
Furthermore, the use of technology to prevent illegal mining transport is a step in the right direction. Still, it must be complemented by stricter monitoring and a comprehensive crackdown on illegal sand mining. The government should establish a high-tech, citizen-centric anonymous complaint portal for reporting illegal sand mining activities to encourage public participation in tackling this crisis. It is only through a concerted effort that the Saharanpur – Shamli region can hope to recover from the devastating impact of illegal sand mining and restore its natural beauty and prosperity.
Featured image is for representational purposes only.
This story has been written as part of the My City Writers’ Training Program.
This story has been published as part of a collaboration between India Sand Watch and Youth Ki Awaaz to shed light on the critical issue of sand mining.