The Central Range Police in Odisha has launched a robust campaign against illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of sand and other minor minerals across seven districts, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental protection and law enforcement.
From January 1, 2025, to December 20, 2025, authorities in the districts of Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, and Jajpur registered **1,133 cases** related to these violations. The operations resulted in the seizure of **1,473 vehicles** involved in illegal transportation, the arrest of **578 individuals**, and notices issued to **1,035 persons** under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS).
The intensified efforts include increased patrolling, vehicle checking, and coordinated raids aimed at dismantling networks engaged in unauthorised extraction and smuggling. These actions are part of a broader initiative to safeguard rivers, riverbeds, and local ecosystems from the adverse impacts of illegal mining, which often leads to soil erosion, environmental degradation, and revenue loss to the state.
“The Central Range Police is dedicated to upholding law and order while promoting sustainable development,” a police spokesperson stated. “By curbing these illegal activities, we are protecting Odisha’s precious natural resources for future generations.”
