Sand mining to resume in state's rivers after long gap of nine years

State prepared survey reports for 11 districts with CSIR-NIIST support, of which four approved

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @T'Puram

RIVER sand mining is set to resume in Kerala after a gap of nine years. The revenue department recently issued an order on the standard operating procedure (SOP) for mining activities. The SOP is the first step in a series of procedures involving different government departments.

The SOP is based on the directives issued by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal. Under this, District Survey Reports are to be prepared for districts where mining is planned. It should be prepared by an agency approved by the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training.