Madhya Pradesh State PCS

• 06 May 2024

Illegal Sand Mining

Why in News?

Recently, a police officer was hit by a tractor transporting illegally mined sand in Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• The illegal sand mining is rampant in Madhya Pradesh, with hundreds of dumpers transporting sand from the banks of the Son river.
• Sand mining is the removal of primary natural sand and sand resources (mineral sands and aggregates) from the natural environment (terrestrial, riverine, coastal, or marine) for extracting valuable minerals, metals, crushed stone, sand and gravel for subsequent processing.
• This activity, driven by various factors, poses serious threats to ecosystems and communities.

Son River

• The Son River, a perennial river in central India, is the Ganges' 2nd-largest southern tributary.
• Originating near Amarkantak Hill in Chhattisgarh, it flows through Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, forming waterfalls at the Amarkantak plateau.
  • It merges with the Ganges near Patna, Bihar.
• Tributaries include Ghaghar, Johilla, Chhoti Mahanadi, Banas, Gopad, Rihand, Kanhar, and North Koel River.
• Prominent dams include the Bansagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh and the Rihand Dam near Pipri in Uttar Pradesh.

Kuno Cheetah Captured in Rajasthan

Why in News?

One of the Cheetahs from Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh wandered around 50km and ended up in Karauli, Rajasthan.

• However, it was tranquilized and safely returned the same evening.

Key Points

• According to forest department officials, the cheetah may have followed a route along the Chambal river, which flows through Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan's Karauli.
  • Chambal river is one of the most pollution-free rivers of India.
  • It's 960 km. long river that originates at the Singar Chouri peak in the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains (Indore, Madhya Pradesh). From there, it flows in the North direction in Madhya Pradesh for a length of about 346 km and then follows a north-easterly direction for a length of 225 km through Rajasthan.
  • It enters UP and flows for about 32 km before joining the Yamuna River in Etawah District.
  • It is a rainfed river and its basin is bounded by the Vindhyan mountain ranges and the Aravallis. The Chambal and its tributaries drain the Malwa region of northwestern Madhya Pradesh.
  • Tributaries: Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati.
  • Main Power Projects/ Dam: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Jawahar Sagar Dam, and Kota Barrage.
  • The National Chambal Sanctuary is located along river Chambal on the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is known for critically endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle, and the endangered Ganges river dolphin.