Stop sand mining near CM residence: Waterman

Magasaysay Award winner and Waterman of India Rajendra Singh has written to the Chief Secretary L.V. Subramanyam to stop indiscriminate and illegal sand mining with heavy machinery and barges near the Chief Minister’s residence in the Krishna River.

In an email that Mr. Singh shared with The Hindu, he said that he had been working for the revival of rivers in India for the last 35 years and he was raising the issue with the CS with “utmost pain,” and hoped that the official would take immediate steps to save the river, its pristine floodplains and sand.

Mr. Singh said the floodplains and sand in the river would take care of the drinking water required of the entire Amaravati Capital city.

Team effort

He said said that in the light of the interim order given by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Andhra Pradesh government should prohibit all unregulated sand mining in the river and initiate stern action against the persons responsible, including conniving officers, and recover the money and use it for restoration of the river.

Mr. Singh said that Delhi Jal Board member Prof. Vikram Soni, renowned architect Romi Khosla, environmental activist Satya Bolisetty, Capital Farmers Association leaders Anumolu Gandhi and Siripurapu Francis worked with him for the protection of the river.