FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
SIVASAGAR, April 22: Despite ban on mining of stone along the Dikhow river, illegal stone mining is a thriving and lucrative activity in Sivasagar district. Facilitated by corrupt politicians and officials, indiscrimite stone mining has ravaged Dikhow river. Indiscrimite and illegal mining of stone along the Dikhow river has not only led to depletion of marine life but also posed a threat to Dikhow river.
Though a ban is imposed on stone mining along the Dikhow river, it is going on ubated in many places in Sivasagar district. However, a visit to Borhil, Bihubor and Lakshmijan areas along the river Dikhow under zira subdivision, reveals a different story altogether. Illegal stone mining using JCB machines is rampant along the banks of River Dikhow in these areas. The extent of illegal mining can easily be gauged from the large number of trucks carrying stone to stone quarries located in different places near the river, which are common sight every day. All this is happening despite the ban.
ture lovers are miffed over the attitude of the district authorities. The Sivasagar district committee president and general secretary of Paribesh Suraksha Sammittee, a society for conservation and protection of ture and bio-diversity, Rupraj Boruah and Mustafa Ahmed respectively, said that the matter was not only related to illegal mining and exploitation of tural resources but was a concern for the environment as well. “Excessive and unscientific mining in Dikhow river has posed a major threat to the river and the environment of the nearby areas,” they said.
Both Boruah and Ahmed said that the Dikhow, having historical significance, was fast dying and would soon become extinct if illegal mining of sand and stone went on rampantly. They also alleged that the crusher owners were not only indulging in illegal extraction, but also violating all norms brazenly. They have demanded that the district administration should take concrete measures to curb the mece.
The DFO and Ranger of the Forest Department in Sivasagar were uvailable for comments.