Yamuna riverbed mining rules tweaked in Himachal district despite guidelines

Months before monsoon rains caused mayhem in several parts of Himachal Pradesh, the state government had sought modifications in granting forest clearance to mine minor minerals like boulders, stones and sand in a stretch of the Yamuna river flowing through Sirmaur, a southern district. The FAC declined HP government’s request to expand the capacity in view of recent changes in the weather pattern and the flood situation in the state but, at the same time, agreed to reduce the ban on mining during monsoon months from “beginning of June to end of October each year” to months of “June to September each year.” “The Government of Himachal Pradesh vide their letter dated 17.05.2023 has submitted the proposal for change in condition of Stage-II approval for diversion of 54.668 ha. of forest land under Forest Act, 1980 for extraction of sand, stone and bajri from the bed of river Yamuna mining project by Randeep Singh, Mauza and Mohal Bhagani, District Sirmour,” the FAC minutes state. Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said the state government as per the provisions contained in the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals and Rules, 2015 put many riverbed areas of District Sirmaur for auction to extract minor minerals sand, stone boulders and Bajri or gravel.