‘Monsoon holiday’ for sand collection begins June 1 along Godavari river

The annual ban on digging and collecting sand on the banks of the Godavari River as part of the “monsoon holiday” prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will come into force from Monday.

“Sand excavation and collection will be prohibited in semi-mechanized areas and patta lands from Monday.” [June 1] as part of a ‘monsoon holiday’ to collect sand. The ban will continue till October 15,” Deputy Director of Mines and Geology D. Phanibhushan Reddy said in a statement.

Meanwhile, East Godavari district authorities have stored 14.57 lakh metric tonnes of Godavari sand for supply in 43 districts including Kovvuru, Peravali, Nidadavolu, Sithanagaram, Rajamahendravaram and Tallapudi in East Godavari district.

Mines and Geology Departments, Revenue, Water Resources Department and Police will keep vigil on illegal sand collection and transportation from June 1.