(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, or in any decree or order of any Court, the Government may, for sufficient reasons by general or special order, direct for the closure of a Kadavu opened for sand removal.
(2) The District Collector may notify the ban on sand removal from any river or river bank during any period particularly during monsoon
1.Inserted by Act 15 of 2013 (w.e.f 25-11-2012).
17 season in a year based on a report from the District Expert Committee or otherwise that dredging of sand disturbs the bio-physical environment system of the river:
Provided that the order of ban shall not extend beyond a period of two weeks at a time, which may be extended for a further period not exceeding two weeks.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, for the time being in force, the provisions of the Land Conservancy Act, 1957 or the provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 shall apply for the removal of any encroachment or obstruction in any river bank or Kadavu.
(4) The Government may notify the rivers and the period for which and removal from such rivers shall not be allowed.