According to media reports, sand mining is taking place in the Chambal River in the most part in that area.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken strict notice of illegal sand mining on the banks of the cleanest river Chambal in the country. The tribunal has expressed concern that instead of strictly stopping such mining, the Madhya Pradesh government has chosen the path of ignorance. The Supreme Court is also hearing a similar public interest litigation in which it has been demanded to end the indifference shown by the state governments towards stopping the shrinkage of natural wetlands and to make various rivers free from the accumulation of polythene envelopes.
In fact, these are matters that fall under the purview of the executive. The responsibility of dealing with these lies primarily with the district administrations and state governments. But the difference is that state governments do not consider them a priority. Sand mining, after all, is a great source of illicit income for politicians associated with the ruling parties and their cronies. That is why an organized campaign to stop it has never been seen in any northern state. Many claims have been made by Chief Ministers or other politicians in this context, but these too have often proved to be empty.
According to media reports, sand mining in the Chambal River is taking place mostly in the area that is a major part of the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary (NCWS). The sanctuary is the last refuge for some endangered species of gharials and dolphins. It also provides a comfortable habitat for small turtles and shrimps.
Despite this, the natural ecological structure of this reserve is continuously being disturbed. Illegal and unscientific mining has started obstructing the natural flow of water of this river. Due to this, the erosion of the river banks has also increased. This problem is likely to become even more serious during the monsoon season. Some other rivers originating from the Chambal and Aravalli regions are the main source of clean water for the Yamuna River. Since these rivers are relatively less polluted, the water of the Yamuna in Agra and its eastern areas does not seem as dirty and foul-smelling as in Delhi.
Instead of protecting such a natural beauty with dedication, the sources of its pollution are being continuously mobilized by Madhya Pradesh and other concerned governments in the name of development. Resorts are being established in this rugged region by leveling the rocky and sandy hills and at the same time, freedom has also been given to set up factories in some places. Why such a mess with the beauty, diversity and uniqueness of Kadir's nature is being made possible in our country, neither the state governments nor the central government are giving an answer to this.
Apart from mining, the abundance of plastic in rivers is also a major threat to the ecological balance. The process of throwing polythene bags or dumping plastic items in the Sutlej starts from Ropar district itself, which is visible from afar in the form of colorful piles passing through the bridge between Ludhiana district and Phillaur. There has been no official study yet on the adverse impact these piles have had on the natural climate and ecosystems within the river.
Similarly, all efforts to make the waters of the Budha Nallah of Ludhiana, which was once known as the Budha River, free from toxicity have so far proved to be paperless. How many committees were formed, how many plans were adopted, but none proved to be effective. All the corrupt mechanisms have bowed down. Now the situation is that the rivers have started to stagnate, the rivers and canals have become waterless. Promises and claims to reverse this situation have also started to wear thin. It is now becoming a norm for state governments to ignore the orders of the National Green Tribunal or file writs in the Supreme Court, calling them non-implementation. Who can get rid of such a trend, only the Supreme Court can answer this.
