4) Illegal mining is a huge problem in AP.

Explain the challenges and suggest measures to

overcome this problem.

A) Illegal mining is mining activity that is undertaken without state permission, in particular in the
absence of land rights, mining licenses, and exploration or mineral transportation permits.

Illegal sand mining is rampant in all the districts of Andhra Pradesh. Introduction of Free
Sand policy, 2016 to curb the lobby of sand contractors and allow farmers and labours to use
them in a judicious way also proved to be inefficient to curb illegal mining. The National Green
Tribunal has imposed 100 crore penalty on Andhra Pradesh for not formulating policies to check
illegal mining. High Court and Supreme Court also supported NGT. In Spite of the warning from
the higher regulatory bodies illegal mining is continuing in Andhra Pradesh.

1. River bed mining causes a lot of alterations of river and river bed which impacts the flora and
fauna of the surrounding areas. Pulicat lake is at a great risk due to sand mining in Krishna Rivers.

2. Sand mining effects the adjourning grund water system and the uses that local people make
from the River.

3.Natural habitat of the species is disturbed which declined biodiversity and its productivity. Eg:
Mangroves around kakinada are at risk due to illegal sand mining in Godavari rivers.

4.Sand mining transforms the riverbeds in large and deep pits as a result the groundwater table
drops leaving the drinking water wells on the embankments of these dry rivers.

5. Mining of minerals from hilly areas leads to environmental degradation and displacement of
tribal people. For example bauxite mining in visakha agency displaces people belonging
Kondadora and Valmiki tribes.

6.Officers responsible to stop illegal mining are facing threats from the miners due to lack of
stringent actions. VRO officer in East Godavari was beaten up for questioning about illegal mining.

Thus various steps should be adopted by the Government to curb illegal mining in the
state. Some of the are:

1. Identify and protect areas most susceptible to illegal mining activities because illegal mining
generally occurs in abandoned shafts or within improperly closed mines.

2.To curb illegal mining, governments must ensure proper closure and security of all closed
mines. In addition to financial guarantees, governments must insist that mining companies provide
mine closure plans before granting permits. Eg: NALCO should be asked to give mine closure
plans before mining bauxite.
3.Establish a task-force to crackdown on illegal mining and trafficking by geo-tagging the mines
and surveilling them 24*7.

4 As per SC order, Approval of Environmental Impact Assessment in compulsory before providing

permission to sand miners.i

Andhra Government has recently struck down the present Sanders Policy to bring the
better and efficient policy to curb the illegal mining in the state.