Coimbatore: With sand mining in the rise along the riverbeds and at the foothills of the Western Ghats, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Prakash Javadekar said that the Centre was planning to monitor it with the help of satellite imaging.
Coimbatore: With sand mining in the rise along the riverbeds and at the foothills of the Western Ghats, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Prakash Javadekar said that the Centre was planning to monitor it with the help of satellite imaging.
Briefing media persons here at the inauguration of the National Centre for Avian Ecotoxicology in Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) near Anaikatti on Saturday, Prakash Javadekar said that the plan would reduce illegal sand mining at a fast phase.
“We are planning to review the implementation level of sustainable sand mining management guidelines in all the States. With ISRO’s satellite imaging also offering help, we can bring down illegal sand mining all over the country,” he said adding that they were planning to meet with representatives from all States.
Answering a question on negative interactions between humans and animals, Javadekar said that the ministry was interacting with farmers to understand the problem at ground level.
“The initial cause for animals venturing out seems to be lack of fodder and water source inside the forests through water and fodder augment plans. Once it is improved, humans and animals can coexist,” Javadekar informed.
In order to ease the process, the ministry is to roll out the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds.
SACON is likely to submit a 15-year vision plan on their role in the conservation of birds. The matter was discussed in the annual general meeting held at SACON on Saturday, and the ministry has guaranteed it would sanction the funds.
The Union Minister also assured that they would look into the matter pertaining to making SACON an autonomous institution.
Talking about the National Centre for Avian Ecotoxicology in SACON, the Minister said the ministry would study the movement of environmental contaminants such as pesticides, drugs through the food chain, and their harmful effects on birds.
In the recent past, the centre has documented the levels of contaminants in more than 125 species of birds, which they collected from various parts of the country. Sarus Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Vultures, Peafowl, Pelican are a few to name.
Researchers and scientists working with SACON were present during the event.