Mumbai, July 7 (IANS) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that a fresh set of regulations will soon be introduced across the state to curb illegal minor mineral excavation.

This is in addition to a slew of strategic measures, including a phased rollout of Electronic Total Station (ETS) surveys, drone surveillance, state-of-the-art monitoring systems and legal amendments.

Replying to a calling attention motion tabled by MLA Sunil Prabhu, the minister stated that the government is fully committed to tackling the issue.

Legislators Sudhir Mungantiwar, Arjun Khotkar, Raju Todsam, Raju Khare, Bhaskar Jadhav, and Pravin Datke also participated in the discussion.

Referring to a controversial mining case in Virar, Palghar district, Minister Bawankule noted that circle officers had inspected the site following complaints received on the government portal. Commenting on the murder that ensued from the dispute at the site, he stated that eight out of nine accused have been arrested, while one remains at large. Severe sections of the law, including provisions related to organised crime, have been invoked in this case.

Acting on a case filed with the State Human Rights Commission, orders have also been issued to shut down the concerned mine and stone crusher unit. An ETS measurement has confirmed the illegal excavation of 4,922 brass of minerals, and the official report is now available, the minister added.

To uncover the ground reality of illegal mining that has persisted in the state over the years, the government has decided to conduct a state-wide ETS survey.

A high-tech war room is being set up under the jurisdiction of the Konkan Divisional Commissioner, in collaboration with RailTel Corporation, to maintain round-the-clock surveillance on excavation activities. Priority will be given to sensitive areas such as Raigad, Palghar, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Ratnagiri, where a panel of various agencies will be formed within the next six months to initiate ETS and drone surveys. This will subsequently be extended to Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and other mining-affected districts, said the minister.

Furthermore, a committee comprising members of the Legislative Assembly will be constituted to draft comprehensive amendments to the minor mineral rules and laws. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the revised regulations and legal amendments will be tabled in the House during the upcoming December session. The committee will also deliberate on various suggestions, including the mandatory deposit conditions required for filing appeals, said the minister.

The Revenue Minister emphasised that the government’s primary objective is to strictly curb the illegal excavation of minor minerals, plug revenue leakages, and establish a transparent and accountable administrative system.

Meanwhile, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Tuesday assured the Legislative Assembly that detailed deliberations will be held with all public representatives, villagers, and stakeholders to strike a balance between wildlife conservation, the inclusion of villages in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR), and the grievances of local residents. Following these discussions, necessary recommendations will be forwarded to the Central Government, ensuring that the daily lives of citizens remain unaffected.

Responding to a calling attention motion raised by MLA Shivaji Patil, Minister Naik stated that the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is Maharashtra’s sole tiger reserve located in the Western Ghats. The project currently encompasses a total of 555 villages across the Kolhapur, Chiplun, Sawantwadi, and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve divisions. Senior officials have been directed to re-evaluate the inclusion of villages that do not fall under natural tiger corridors.

Additionally, a special meeting with local representatives and villagers will be organised in Kolhapur soon. While assuring that the tiger reserve would not disrupt the day-to-day lives of ordinary citizens, the minister clarified that restrictions would remain mandatory for ecologically damaging activities, including stone quarrying, chemical industries, and mega-dam projects.

Highlighting the significant rise in the state’s tiger population, Minister Naik announced that the government is planning a new tiger reserve in the Vidarbha region for effective habitat management. Furthermore, dedicated leopard conservation projects are being planned across Konkan, Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Khandesh.

Legislators Jayant Patil, Haroon Khan, Chandradeep Narke, and Aaditya Thackeray also participated in the legislative discussion.

–IANS

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