Major Crackdown on Sand Mafia in Chambal: Illegal Sand Stockpiles Flattened in Dawn Operation

Morena: In one of the biggest anti-mining drives in recent years, the district administration launched a massive pre-dawn crackdown on illegal sand stockpiles along the Chambal river, seizing and destroying what officials estimate to be over ₹1.5 crore worth of illegally mined sand.

Before sunrise on Tuesday, a joint task force comprising police, forest, mining, and revenue department officials cordoned off the Rajghat area, targeting huge sand mounds allegedly accumulated by powerful sand mafias on government land. The operation began around 5 a.m. and continued for hours, with heavy machinery deployed to level the illegal stockpiles on the spot.

Over 1,000 trolley-loads of sand destroyed

Authorities identified more than 1,000 trolley-loads of illegally stored sand in the initial phase of the operation. Within the first five hours alone, much of the sand was flattened and returned to the riverbed. Officials said the final figure could rise significantly as the operation continues.

More than 300 police personnel, over 50 forest staff members, and teams from the mining and revenue departments participated in the drive. At least half a dozen JCB machines were pressed into service, with additional machinery being called in to ensure complete removal of the illegal stock.

Environmental protection at the core

Officials described the action as not merely an anti-mafia measure but a decisive step toward protecting the fragile ecology of the Chambal region. Continuous illegal mining had posed a serious threat to the habitat of endangered species, particularly the gharial.

Sandbanks are crucial for gharial nesting and their natural life cycle. Excessive extraction had been disrupting the ecosystem and endangering breeding grounds. A high-level task force meeting chaired by the district collector a day earlier had resolved to halt illegal mining and eliminate stockpiles at several vulnerable घाटs, including Rajghat, Kaithari, Barwasin, Gadora, and Gaya ka Pura.

Sanctuary under strict protection

The 435-kilometre stretch of the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary is considered one of India’s most ecologically sensitive zones. Sand mining and transportation are completely prohibited in the sanctuary area, as the sandy riverbanks form the foundation of survival for gharials, river dolphins, turtles, and several rare bird species.

Officials indicated that similar enforcement drives may continue in the coming days, signaling a tougher stance against illegal mining networks operating in the region.