pure drinking water as the illegal mining has contaminated water bodies in the area.
Environmental activists and others protesting for the mining to stop, claim that authorities are playing the role of silent spectators allowing this activity to be conducted without taking immediate action to put an end to it. It has also been reported that workers mining in the area refuse to answer any questions, only claiming to continue the mining with permission from authorities.
Abdus Sattar, a resident of Bunobhir, said influential groups have been extracting sand from agricultural lands by setting up excavator machines and dredgers, leaving nearby crops, hilly land and canals vulnerable.
Another local mentioned that it was becoming a nuisance due to the endless noise pollution and the unavailability of clean water from tube wells.
Those behind this act, are said to be highly powerful and influential personalities who are “managing authorities” to go ahead with the extraction of the sand. However, this is damaging the ecosystem and putting farmers into a situation of great risk. The UNO, however has stated that they will look into the matter in order to draw up a conclusion which is in favour of justice.
