US Nagar imposes monsoon ban on mining till Sept 30

Rudrapur: With the onset of the monsoon, the Udham Singh Nagar district administration has imposed a complete ban on mining and riverbed material collection across the district from July 1 to Sept 30, citing public safety and environmental concerns.

Officials said any individual or organisation found carrying out illegal mining or riverbed material collection during the prohibition period would face stringent action under the Uttarakhand Minor Mineral Prevention Rules, 2023.Issuing the order, district magistrate (DM) Nitin Singh Bhadauria said, “The decision was taken on the recommendation of the deputy director of mining in view of the heightened risk of accidents during the rainy season.

Rising river levels and the possibility of floods make mining operations hazardous, posing a serious threat to life and property.”“All mining and riverbed material collection activities in the district’s mining lease areas shall remain suspended during the specified period. The restriction has been imposed to ensure public safety during the monsoon,” the DM said.The administration clarified that “the ban would not apply to works being carried out under central govt schemes or those undertaken in compliance with directions issued by the high court or the Supreme Court”.

The order has been circulated to the senior superintendent of police, all sub-divisional magistrates, tehsildars, the mining officer, the forest department and all mining leaseholders for strict implementation.Officials have been directed to enforce the ban rigorously and take immediate action against any instance of illegal mining, with the administration maintaining close surveillance across the district throughout the monsoon.