Central Committee Proposes Three‑Year Road‑Map to Phase Out River Sand Mining
· World · The Hindu, Indian Express
The Supreme Court‑appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) submitted a report on November 2, 2026, recommending a three‑year, time‑bound road‑map to end unsustainable sand extraction from active river channels. The plan includes scientific desilting of dams, recycling of C&D waste, and developing alternative sand sources. CEC highlights riverbed degradation, groundwater depletion, habitat loss and lack of national data on illegal mining. The committee proposes strengthened regulatory monitoring and was originally formed in 2002. The recommendations aim to restore river health while supporting infrastructure needs. The report was submitted to the Supreme Court as part of a suo motu case on illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary.
Why it matters
Illegal sand mining devastates river ecosystems, depletes groundwater and undermines construction supply chains; a three‑year phase‑out will give industries time to adopt sustainable alternatives and reduce environmental damage. Farmers and communities dependent on river health will see improved water quality and fish stocks, while the construction sector faces higher compliance costs but benefits from long‑term resource stability. The roadmap will reshape regulatory enforcement and possibly low
Read the original report — The Hindu
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