Sun Nov 03 17:27:10 UTC 2024: ## Villagers United Against Illegal Sand Mining in Assam and Meghalaya
**GUWAHATI, November 3, 2024** – Villagers from Assam and Meghalaya, often at odds over inter-state boundary disputes, have united against illegal sand mining along their shared border. This weekend, a rally was held in Nokmakundi, Meghalaya, bringing together groups such as the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Garo Women’s Council, and All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU).
The rally participants expressed deep concern over the unchecked sand mining, which they claim is endangering their lives and livelihoods. Dhiraj Hazowary, a local ABSU leader, highlighted the devastating impact on the ecosystem, including the depletion of aquatic life and erosion of riverbanks. He accused Forest Department officials of colluding with sand miners and transporters.
The Dudhnoi (Manda) River is one of the worst affected, with hundreds of overloaded trucks illegally transporting sand daily, causing damage to roads as well. Local residents, particularly those in Nokmakundi, Kalikapara, and surrounding villages, have been facing erosion and water shortages for cultivation, even during the monsoon season.
Despite a joint complaint filed in March 2023, illegal sand mining has continued, prompting local leaders to call for a coordinated effort to tackle the issue. Folding R. Marak, a GSU leader, urged residents to take action, citing the example of villagers in Assam’s Kamrup district who successfully forced authorities to halt sand mining in the Boko River.
This situation mirrors the plight of the Gangetic dolphin, a Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, whose habitat in the Kulsi and Morakolohi rivers is being destroyed by rampant sand mining. Conservationists attribute the dolphin habitat loss to unregulated and largely illegal mining, particularly in the Morakolohi River near Puthimari village.
While the Forest Department claims to have partially curbed illegal mining, locals report a steady flow of sand extraction using pump motors, with over 20 dumpers operating at night and 20 tractors during the day. Conservationist Rajesh Dutta Baruah described the Kulsi River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, as severely affected, with the water flow to the Kukurmara channel almost completely stopped.
The united front against illegal sand mining in Assam and Meghalaya highlights the urgent need for effective measures to protect the environment and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
First Piper 