(a) whether illegal mining in several rivers of the country has led to steep ditches causing threat to existence of the said rivers; and
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the plan of the Government to address the said issue, State-wise including Uttar Pradesh?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)
(a) & (b) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016, which, inter-alia addresses the issue relating to regulation of sand mining in rivers in the country. The main objectives of the Guidelines are to ensure that sand and gravel mining is done in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner; conservation of the river equilibrium and its natural environment by protection and restoration of the ecological system; to ensure the rivers are protected from bank and bed erosion beyond its stable profile etc.
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