Villagers in Meghalaya and Assam Oppose Sand Mining

• Villagers in Assam and Meghalaya have united against illegal sand mining along the border.
• Several organizations, including the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Garo Women’s Council, and All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), joined a rally against illegal sand mining.
• ABSU leader, Dhiraj Hazowary, cited the impact of sand mining on the area’s ecosystem, riverbanks, and roads.
• The Dudhnoi (Manda) river is among the most affected, with villagers accusing Forest Department officials of a nexus with sand miners and transporters.
• GSU leader, Folding R. Marak, cited the example of villagers in Assam’s Kamrup district who forced local authorities to stop sand mining in the Boko river.
• The Gangetic dolphin habitats in the Kulsi and Morakolohi rivers in Kamrup district are at risk due to discriminate sand mining, industrial operations, and anthropogenic pressure.