Illegal riverbed mining inviting catastrophe: Assam tribal students’ body
The All Dimasa Students’ Union has formally complained about illegal and unscientific riverbed mining in Assam's Dima Hasao district. They warn that the practice is causing severe bank erosion, threatening infrastructure, and depleting local water sources.
Why it matters
Unregulated mining poses a direct threat to environmental sustainability and the livelihoods of indigenous communities in the region.
The All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU) has flagged “unscientific, illegal and excessive” riverbed mining in Dima Hasao district in Assam , warning that unchecked extraction was threatening severe bank erosion, threatening key transport corridors and drying up drinking water sources for rural communities.
In a complaint letter to the district’s Chief Conservator of Forests on Friday (September 25, 2026), the ADSU highlighted unregulated commercial extraction of sand, gravel, stone and boulders, driven by the rampant use of heavy mechanised excavators inside active river channels, across the Diyung, Mahur, Langting and Jatinga rivers.
The union said these activities were affecting local ecosystems, infrastructure, and indigenous communities in the district.
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