HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, Nov 15: Illegal silt mining from the Brahmaputra riverbed in posing a serious threat to the
Dibrugarh town.
Due to unabated Illegal silt mining from Poolbagan area to Panchali, the historic Dibrugarh is facing a
severe threat of erosion.
Sources said the ‘sand mafia’ is illegally extracting silt from the Brahmaputra riverbed from near
Poolbagan to Panchali posing a serious threat to the entire area.
Sand mafias are allegedly running the illegal business in nexus with some forest officials and the illegal
extraction of sand is most rampant in these areas.
“The forest department has failed to act against these sand mafias. Due to continuous silt mining in
these areas the Dibrugarh town protection dyke is facing a serious threat,” said a source.
It has been learned that in silt mining has been going on in the middle of the river and about 15-20 boats
were being used to carry the silt.
“During mid-November the practice starts every year and the sand mafias collect the silts illegally from
river beds. It is a continuous practice but the district administration has failed to check these illegal
activities,” said a local resident.
However, following a series of orders by the National Green Tribunal in 2018, the Union ministry of
environment, forests and climate change has for the first time released guidelines to monitor and check
illegal sand mining in the country.
