Chandigarh, March 21(ozi news desk): An expert panel, established by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), has advised against allowing mining on fertile agricultural land due to the impossibility of replenishment.
The NGT is currently examining a case concerning mining on agricultural land in Jaidhar and Mandewala villages in Yamunanagar. The panel was tasked with investigating all aspects of sand mining on agricultural land in Haryana and proposing environmental protection measures.
The report highlighted the negative effects of mining on soil fertility, emphasizing that sand mining removes topsoil rich in essential nutrients for plant growth, leading to erosion and degradation.
Additionally, the report mentioned that sand mining can disrupt the hydrological balance, causing water-logging and pollution of surface water bodies. Deep mining activities can also remove crucial water filtering layers, leading to groundwater contamination.
The report warned that large-scale sand mining can result in land subsidence and erosion of adjacent lands if proper buffer zones are not maintained. It also emphasized that natural replenishment of sand is unlikely in areas not located on riverbeds like Jaidhar and Mandewala.
