Assam: Dimasa student body seeks halt to illegal riverbed mining in Dima Hasao

Guwahati: The All Dimasa Students Union (ADSU) on Friday demanded immediate action by the Forest Department to stop illegal and unregulated riverbed mining and check ecological degradation across Assam’s Dima Hasao.

In a memorandum submitted to the CCF, Dima Hasao, ADSU Dima Hasao District Committee president Arught Kemprai and general secretary Suraj Naiding described what they called the “catastrophic environmental destruction” caused by unscientific, illegal and excessive extraction of sand, gravel, stone and boulders from rivers and streams in the district.

The student body said, “We, the undersigned representatives of the All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU), Dima Hasao District Committee, submit this urgent representation regarding the catastrophic environmental destruction caused by unscientific, illegal, and excessive riverbed mining (sand, gravel, stone, and boulder extraction) across major rivers and streams in our district, notably the Diyung, Mahur, Langting, and Jatinga rivers.”

The ADSU said unregulated commercial extraction, coupled with the use of heavy mechanised excavators inside active river channels, was threatening local ecosystems, infrastructure and indigenous communities.

“Unregulated commercial extraction, aggravated by the rampant deployment of heavy mechanised excavators inside active river channels, directly threatens local ecosystems, infrastructure, and Indigenous communities,” the ADSU said.

The organisation raised concerns over severe bank erosion and structural hazards, saying mechanised dredging and unscientific riverbed excavation were destabilising riverbanks and accelerating soil erosion during the monsoon.

“Severe Bank Erosion & Structural Hazards: Mechanised dredging and unscientific riverbed scooping destabilise riverbanks, accelerating soil erosion during monsoons, endangering critical transport corridors (including NH-27 and railway lines), and triggering recurrent landslides near habitations,” the ADSU said.

The ADSU also alleged that excessive siltation and destruction of riverbeds were affecting aquatic biodiversity.

“Aquatic Habitat Destruction: Excessive siltation and riverbed destruction are decimating local aquatic biodiversity, including native and endangered fish species, by permanently destroying breeding beds and disrupting natural hydrology,” it said.

It also raised concerns over the depletion of water resources.

“Depletion of Water Security: Indiscriminate deep blend bleaches the natural water table, drastically lowering groundwad level and dryug up vital gravity-fed drinking water streams across rural settlements,” the memorandum stated.

The student body said the activities were also affecting communities dependent on river systems for fishing, agriculture and household water.

“Impact on Tribal Livelihoods: Rural and indigenous communities dependent on these riparian systems for traditional fishing, agriculture, and household water face immediate socioeconomic distress. Dima Hasao is an ecologically fragile hill region protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Unchecked commercial extraction directly contravenes,” the memorandum stated.

The ADSU cited the Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2013, the Supreme Court judgment in Deepak Kumar v. State of Haryana (2012), and directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in support of its concerns.

“The Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2013. The mandatory guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court of India in Deepak Kumar v. State of Haryana (2012). Standing directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) strictly prohibiting heavy mechanised in-stream extraction without approved District Survey Reports (DSR) and valid Environmental Clearances (EC),” they said.

Among its demands, the ADSU sought an immediate cease-and-desist order against non-compliant extraction sites and the impounding of unauthorised heavy machinery, including JCBs and excavators, operating within river channels.

It also called for an urgent joint verification task force comprising the Forest Department, DHAC Revenue/Forest officials, district civil administration, ecological experts and local student representatives.

The ADSU further demanded strict penal action against illegal operators and quarry owners allegedly operating without approved Mining Plans, valid Leases or SEIAA Environmental Clearances under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The organisation also sought scientific demarcation of critical river bends, bridge buffers, erosion-prone areas and ecologically sensitive stretches as strictly protected, non-mining zones.

The ADSU said it remained committed to protecting the land, rivers and indigenous heritage of Dima Hasao. It urged the authorities to initiate field-level action within 15 days of receiving the memorandum.

It warned that failure to act would compel the ADSU to pursue democratic mass agitation and approach the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench) for judicial intervention.