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CEC suggests three-year roadmap to end unsustainable sand mining
വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്?
Who does the CEC actually answer to? The Supreme Court link behind the sand mining roadmap, explained
CEC wants unsustainable sand mining from active channels phased out in three years.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 മിനിറ്റ്
The Central Empowered Committee has recommended a three-year roadmap to phase out unsustainable sand mining from active river channels.
It observes that sand and gravel are crucial for infrastructure, but unscientific or excessive extraction from channels and floodplains disrupts the dynamic balance of river systems.
The panel was set up to assist the Supreme Court on environmental and forest matters.
ഉറവിടങ്ങൾ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
പ്രധാന വസ്തുതകൾ
Remember these
- The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has recommended a three-year roadmap to phase out unsustainable sand mining from active river channels.
- The CEC was constituted on the directions of the Supreme Court to assist it on environmental and forest matters.
- Sand and gravel are crucial for infrastructure, but excessive extraction from channels and floodplains disrupts the dynamic balance of river systems.
- Sand is a minor mineral under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, with states regulating its extraction.
പ്രിലിംസ് · മെയിൻസ്
How the exam will ask it
പ്രിലിംസ്
- The Central Empowered Committee was set up on the Supreme Court's directions to assist it in environmental and forest matters.
- Sand is classified as a minor mineral, and its regulation is primarily the responsibility of State Governments under the MMDR Act, 1957.
- Unscientific sand mining from river channels and floodplains can disrupt the dynamic balance of river systems.
മെയിൻസ്
GS3 Environment: unsustainable sand mining degrades river ecology and floodplains while the construction sector depends on sand and gravel. The CEC's three-year phase-out roadmap sits within the MMDR Act framework, where states regulate minor minerals and the Supreme Court oversees environmental compliance. The way forward is scientific replenishment studies, alternatives such as manufactured sand, and strict monitoring of extraction.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
The Central Empowered Committee, whose report suggests a three-year roadmap to phase out unsustainable sand mining from active river channels, was set up to assist which body?
- National Green Tribunal
- Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment
- Supreme Court of India
- NITI Aayog
ഉത്തരം കാണിക്കൂ
ഉത്തരം: C — Correct: Supreme Court of India — the CEC was constituted on the directions of the Supreme Court to monitor and report on environmental and forest matters. • National Green Tribunal — wrong: the NGT is a statutory tribunal and was not the body the CEC was created to assist; the CEC assists the Supreme Court. • Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment — wrong: parliamentary committees have their own secretariat; the CEC was formed on the Supreme Court’s directions. • NITI Aayog — wrong: NITI Aayog is a policy think tank and has no role in constituting or receiving reports of the CEC.
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