Context: Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to prepare a detailed pan India guidelines within three months for silica sand mining and silica washing plants.

• The NGT was hearing a petition on illegal silica sand mining in Uttar Pradesh.

Key Directives

• Court criticized authorities for irregularities in silica sand mining operations and imposed penalties on companies involved

• Silica sand washing removes impurities but poses health risks, including silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust.

• NGT stated that extraction of silica sand from silica sand mines causes health hazards like silicosis (lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust) to workers.

• NGT also observed that Silica sand washing plants lack proper record-keeping, and Statutory Regulators neglect compliance with laws.

• Silica sand is produced by crushing sandstone or quartzite of open texture, and washing and grading it to yield requisite grain distribution. 

About Sand Resource

• Sand is world’s second-most exploited natural resource, after water. (UNEP)

• Sand is classified as a minor mineral under Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).

About Sand Mining

• Definition: Removal of primary natural sand and resources like minerals, metals from natural environment (land, rivers, etc.) for extracting valuable crushed stone etc. for subsequent processing.

• Factors responsible for illegal sand mining: High demand for sand in construction; organized sand mafias; lack of sustainable alternatives etc.

Consequence of Illegal Sand Mining

• Flooding and Sedimentation: Alters river course causing flooding and sedimentation, loss of fertile land, damage to infrastructure etc.

• Groundwater Depletion: Lowers groundwater table, affecting wells and causing water scarcity.

• Biodiversity Loss:  Disrupts aquatic habitats, threatens endangered river species like gharial, freshwater turtles, otters, river dolphins etc.

Steps taken to tackle Illegal Sand Mining 

• Section 23C of MMDR Act allows State Governments and UT Administrations to create rules to prevent illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals. 

• Sustainable Sand Management Guidelines (2016) and Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines (2020) focus on restoring river ecology.

• Sand Mining Framework (2018) promotes alternatives like Manufactured Sand and sand from Overburden of coal mines.

• Mining Surveillance System to use space technology for tracking and controlling illegal sand mining.