Bihar Bans Sand Mining at All Ghats Until October 15 for Environmental Protection

Sand mining will be completely closed at all ghats in Bihar till October 15. The Mines and Geology Department has taken a big decision to ensure environmental protection and effective mining management. During the period from June 15 to October 15, sand will be sold only from secondary loading points and licensees so that there is no shortage of sand supply to the general public and work departments.

Instructions to get drone videography done

The department has instructed all the districts to get drone videography done of all operational and non-operational ghats and secondary loading points. This step will be helpful in accurately assessing the recharge of sand in the rivers, so that the auction and settlement of ghats can be made more transparent and effective in the coming years.

Apart from this, the department has got a proposal approved from the Council of Ministers to get sand recharge study done from the Government of India agency CMPDI. This study will assess the recharge of sand in a scientific and unbiased manner, so that the mining process can be further strengthened.

The Mines and Geology Department has taken extensive measures to ensure the availability of sand during the monsoon. If any common citizen has to face shortage of sand, then they can contact the District Mining Officer of their district. The numbers of the District Mining Officers are available on the official website of the department.

Also, to save the working departments from the shortage of sand, the Mining Department is also ready to arrange ghats for the working departments. In this regard, all the working departments have also been informed through letter.

Taking strict action against illegal mining, the department has directed all the District Magistrates to make the sand seized in the raid available to the working departments at a reasonable government rate. This step has been taken to encourage legal mining and maintain the pace of development works. The aim of the department is that development work in the state should continue without any interruption and environmental protection should also be given priority.

Meeting will be held in Patna on June 19

To realize this vision of the department, a meeting will be held with all the District Mining Officers in Patna on June 19, 2025. In this meeting, consideration will be given to facilitate legal mining and to protect the general public from any inconvenience.

Department's resolution

At the same time, the Department of Mines and Geology is determined that the pace of development in Bihar should continue uninterrupted and natural resources should be used appropriately while maintaining harmony with the environment.