The State on Thursday told the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that a detailed action plan to prevent illegal sand mining in Amaravathi river in Karur district would be filed.
The State told a Division Bench of Justices G.R. Swaminathan and B. Pugalendhi that the Karur Collector would come out with the plan and file an affidavit with regard to the steps being taken to prevent illegal sand mining in the river.
The Collector, in a status report, submitted that District and Taluk-level Committees had been formed and illegal sand mining had drastically reduced. Criminal cases were being registered against those involved in such illegal activities and the vehicles used were being seized, it was submitted. The court posted the matter for hearing to July 10.
The court was hearing the suo motu proceedings initiated to take steps to protect the river. The Register (Judicial) of the Madurai Bench sought a direction to the State to remove encroachments made on the riverbed/bunds.
The Registrar (Judicial) also sought a direction to the authorities to initiate action to prevent illegal mining or quarrying of minor minerals in the river and take penal action against illegal mining and transportation of sand and other minerals. A direction was also sought to take appropriate action against district-level officials for failure to prevent illegal mining and destruction of river bunds.