Govt needs to step up, do more to save ecology

This picture has been used for representational purpose

Being vigilant about those attempting to plunder natural resources seems to be a full-time job. A report in this paper spoke of a river in Panvel being dredged with suction pumps. Despite sand mining being banned by the Bombay High Court back in 2010, rivers are rampantly dredged throughout the state, with dangerous suction pumps.

While mining per se is good within limits and in designated areas, unscrupulous elements are rampantly engaging in illegal mining to feed the need of rapidly expanding cities in Maharashtra. A green report has explained that excessive sand mining can alter river beds, force rivers to change course, erode banks and cause flooding. It also destroys the habitat of the living beings and micro-organisms that thrive in them. Illegal mining puts rivers at a huge risk of drying up. This is a big red flag for an already degrading environment.

The news report states that all this has been happening with the tacit approval and involvement of politicians and local goons with political backing. The green tribunal has given the police powers to act against such illegal activities, yet reports state that money conveniently exchanges hands between the cops manning nakas and sand miners, and the illegal sand, worth crores, ends up at construction sites.

When the lawmakers turn lawbreakers, whom does one turn to? The report says government officials, too, are passing the buck, with the mangrove cell saying this is in the revenue department's jurisdiction.

The government needs to do a lot more to save the state's water bodies. The MVA government has proclaimed and proved its environment-friendly stance by moving the Metro car shed out of Aarey. It now needs to look a little farther afield. Till then, green activists will have to continue doing their thankless yet all-important job whistle-blowing.