CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Question: Who regulates sand mining? Answer: The environment ministry regulates sand mining and prevents illegal mining through its ‘Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining 2020.

Detailed explanation-2: -BENGALURU: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the state government to form a task force and a high-power committee to monitor sand mining activities in lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands.

Detailed explanation-3: -Unsustainable sand mining could result in riverbank collapse, deepening of river beds, sinking deltas and coastal erosion as well as biodiversity loss, especially when coupled with the impacts of dams and climate change.

Detailed explanation-4: -Illegal sand mining is an offence under the Indian Penal Code, Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The citizens can lodge a complaint/FIR with the concerned police station. The following sections must be invoked by the police.