Lucknow: With the help of technology, the mining department of the state managed to regulate illegal mining activity across six districts.
A team of experts, comprising geologists, scientists, private consultants and surveyors, was constituted to monitor the mining activity taking place along the key river basins.
With the help of remote sensing and the Geological Information System (GIS), the area along the river streams that is suitable for the excavation of sand, river sand, minor minerals and boulders is earmarked in advance.Through the laboratory set up at the department’s directorate in Lucknow, surveys are conducted regularly. “If we come across changes in the contours and topography of the soil, we immediately alert the local officials to survey the area,” said a Geologist.
Director of the department Mala Srivastava said that through constant monitoring, drives have been carried out in six districts so far and fines were imposed against the offenders or leaseholders who were found using heavy machines in unauthorised areas.