Una: Ban only on paper, miners still active in Swan river

Our Correspondent

Una, August 3

The government has banned mining in the Swan river and its tributaries from July 1 to September 15 so that sand and gravel on the riverbeds get replenished during the rains, but illegal mining is going on unabated.

Trucks laden with sand and gravel can be seen moving out of the state through about 20 inter-state barriers and several unmanned roads, particularly during the night.

Civil construction works, be it in the private or public sector, continue to run despite the ban, while the crusher and mining association maintains that it is on strike against the ban orders.

State president of the association Dimple Thakur said not even one crusher was functional and that mining was being done illegally. The association urged the authorities should take action against illegal miners.

Meanwhile, Mining Department officials conducted raids in the Swan in Santoshgarh. District Mining Officer Neeraj Kant said 14 tractors were seen involved in illegal mining. He added that Rs 67,050 was imposed as fine. He said the department would continue raids to ensure the implementation of the ban orders on mining.