Sand Collection Ban Details
Starting June 1,the annual prohibition on sand excavation along the Godavari river will take effect,lasting until October 15. This initiative,referred to as "monsoon holiday," is mandated by the Ministry of Environment,Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). According to D. Phanibhushan Reddy, Deputy Director of Mines and Geology,the ban will apply specifically to semi-mechanized areas and patta lands.
In preparation for this period,authorities in East Godavari district have amassed a stockpile of 14.57 lakh metric tonnes of sand. This reserve will be available for distribution across 43 designated reaches, which include locations such as Kovvuru,Peravali,Nidadavolu,Sithanagaram, Rajamahendravaram, and Tallapudi.
The Departments of Mines and Geology,Revenue, Water Resources, and Transportation are set to oversee the implementation of this ban. The initiative aims to protect the river's ecosystem during the monsoon season, ensuring that sand collection does not exacerbate environmental degradation.
