YUPIA, 9 Feb: “Any discussion on extraction of natural resources for development is a seesaw battle between demand and its impact. However, our demands should be regulated to slow the impact on nature and ensure sustainable development,” Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Sachin Rana said while chairing a meeting of the district level task force on illegal mining and illegal transportation of minerals, here on Thursday.
On learning that many quarries are operating without proper licence, the DC asked the quarry and crusher owners to apply for legal permits within 15 days “by producing all the prerequisite documents, as notified by the government, for obtaining quarrying licence.”
He directed that “no quarrying activity shall be held within 50 metres of the electric transmission towers and the railway bridge at the Dikrong river in Doimukh,” and stressed on putting a check on illegal mining activities by all stakeholders.
SP Dr Nyelam Nega in his address advocated “generating a continuous sense of awareness among the people thriving in the mining-bearing region and involving the participation of common people in protection, development and harnessing minerals.”
Expressing anguish over the worsening condition of the Dikrong, Pachin, Pare etc, rivers over the decade, he said: “The present condition of these rivers is a result of rampant quarrying activities, and there is a need to adopt a balanced approach to these activities.”
Nega suggested devising a plan to “restrict and limit stone crusher installations within a certain stretch of the river, based on the replenishment of the rivers during the monsoon.”
Mining & Geology Assistant Director Tassar Talo highlighted the procedure for obtaining quarrying and stone crusher licenses, and emphasised “the need for a district mining survey report and mining plan which has been newly included as a prerequisite for obtaining quarrying licence.”
Highlighting the provisions under the Arunachal Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rule-2020, he informed that “illegal extraction of minerals can lead to an imprisonment of one year or with fine which may extend to Rs 2 lakhs or with both.”
The members of quarry and stone crusher associations who participated in the meeting called for “creating awareness on the procedure to obtain legal permits and the dos and don’ts of quarrying and mining activities,” and suggested installing signages at prominent locations.
Among others, ADC T Bodung and officials from the geology & mining department attended the meeting. (DIPRO)
