Madhya Pradesh: Govt seeks complete ban on mining around Amarkantak

Madhya Pradesh has decided to send a letter to Centre seeking a complete ban on the mining activities around Amarkantak.

Bhopal, Dec 13: The Madhya Pradesh government would soon urge the Centre for a complete ban on the mining activities around Amarkantak, the place of origin of Narmada river.

"The people have chopped the trees, carried out mining activities and put waste water for their vested interests in the holy river," said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announcing that his government would soon send a letter to the Centre in this regard.

Chouhan made this announcement yesterday while addressing a public gathering at Karanjia of Dindori district of state during the second day of 'Narmada Sewa Yatra,' a five-month long awareness campaign to make river Narmada, a pollution free stream.

During the course of the Yatra, Chouhan also administered pledge to the villagers for plantation, construction of toilet, sanitation, environment protection and de-addiction.

Chouhan reiterated that massive plantation will be undertaken on vacant forest land and the farmers would be given Rs 20,000 per hectare till three years for plantation on their lands on Narmada's banks.

"The state government would also bear the 40 per cent of the plantation cost. Narmada will be made pollution free by this and its flow will become stronger," said Chouhan.

However, the Madhya Pradesh Congress has demanded total ban on the mining activities at the banks of river Narmada.

"The mining activities should be banned on entire stretch of river Narmada flowing in Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister is only talking sweet about the conservation of this river, instead of doing the real work," Pankaj Chaturvedi, MP Congress spokesperson, told PTI.

"Rampant illegal mining is underway at river Narmada," he alleged.

PTI