The AP high court on Wednesday stayed sand mining and fresh auctions on sand quarrying across the state with effect from April 1.

A division bench, consisting of chief justice Madan B Lokur and justice Noushad Ali, granted the stay on sand mining in response to a petition filed by an NGO seeking direction to the sand contractors and the government to stop quarrying of sand immediately on the Krishna River bed in Amaravathi Mandal of Krishna district.

The petitioner said that contractors were digging sand and other minerals beyond the notified and licensed area and the Government has not taken any action in preventing or stopping the illegal mining of sand and other minerals.

Deferring further hearing on the case till April 6, the court commented that the Government has not shown any interest in protecting river beds or environment or assessing the impact of digging and quarrying of sand.

“What will be the fate of the state’s natural mineral wealth if this continues further?” the court asked the Government. (J)