Sand mining is as lucrative as gold mining, goes an old adage in Uttarakhand. No wonder then that the state government is pushing so hard to get environment clearances, so the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) can benefit from sand mining.

Managing director C Ravishankar of GMVN told TOI, "Mining is just one of many business activities we do in the Garhwal region. After we get permission from the Union ministry of environment and forests, sites could be sub-let for mining to private individuals, in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down."

TOI has learnt that over 55 mining projects have been submitted by state government to the Union ministry of environment for clearance, to pave the way for GMVN to begin these operations...............Read more

Source web page: Times of India