Guwahati, April 24 -- The District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills has issued an order prohibiting illegal sand extraction from riverbeds and unauthorised mining on hill slopes across the district, with immediate effect.

District Magistrate H.M.L. Kynta issued the directive on April 23 under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing growing environmental degradation caused by unchecked sand mining, particularly along the Wahnianglen river near Mylliem.

The move follows directions from the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi, which has barred mining, quarrying and sand removal without valid licences, permits and environmental clearances as mandated under the Environment Impact Asses...