IMPHAL: N Biren Singh, the chief minister of Manipur, declared before the House that the cabinet had resolved to outlaw all mining-related operations in the state, including the usage of equipment for sand mining in riverbeds.
To protect the livelihoods of manual labourers, manual mining will be regulated, he continued.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said during the seventh day of the third session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly that manual workers can continue their work with prior permission from the Commerce & Industries and Forest Departments in response to a calling attention notice from MLA Surjakumar Okram regarding the deterioration of the Thoubal River due to illegal mining.
To counteract river pollution, the Manipur High Court has already issued an absolute prohibition on unlawful sand mining, stone quarrying, and other polluting activities in all of the state's rivers.
During a Manipur Legislative Assembly session, the House Leader, N Biren Singh, acknowledged that people might be self-centered and lacking in common decency, with 99% of the populace not understanding how to properly erect toilets.
Many people have constructed restrooms next to flowing rivers, tainting the water that is used for drinking.
The Chief Minister also said that the administration had cleared riverbanks from Kangpokpi to the Imphal River and mass-evicted toilets.
He also explained that there is a lack of drinking water as a result of tree cutting on the slopes surrounding Singda, which is causing the Singda Dam to dry up.
Biren informed the House that the government had taken action against illegal mining and quarrying, particularly at the Thoubal River. This included arresting those responsible.
He did admit that some people do these things in order to survive, disregarding the potential negative effects on future generations.
The Chief Minister made it clear that any actions that endanger the environment will be punished harshly in accordance with the law.
Locations for preservation are being identified by the departments of industry and forestry, and recommendations are being brought to the centre for approval.
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