Gandhinagar, 24 January 2013

State Enviornment and Forest department has issued a new guideline on sand mining and has restricted the activity hours to 6.00 am to 6.00 pm. Sand mining beyond these hours is no more permitted in Gujarat now onwards.

According to a new guideline, those involved in sand mining before 6.00 pm and 6.00 am will face strict actions.

No vehicle to carry sand would be allowed to stand in minimum 24 meter distance from the bank. Sand mining in 10 meter area from the bank will not be permitted.

Sand mining will not be permitted in the area where brackish water is likely to mix with fresh water. One would not be allowed to mine only prescribed quantity of sand allowed by district area committee.

Sand mining will not be allowed in 500 meter range of a bridge or an irrigation project.

Sand mining will be allowed only upto 3 meter depth in river-bed.

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