Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding stone and sand mining in hills of Gadaun, Sahebganj district, Jharkhand, 22/05/2023
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Pradeep Kumar Singh Vs State of Jharkhand & Others dated 22/05/2023.
The matter is related to stone and sand mining on hundreds of acres in hills of mauja Gadaun in district Sahebganj, Jharkhand for the last 25 years causing damage to the environment,posing risk to the life of villagers, depleting ground water level. The applicant, Pradeep Kumar Singh has also submitted that the blasting activities carried out have also caused damage to the houses.
The action taken report filed by the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB), May 19, 2023 said that during inspection, all stone mines and crushers by Gadwa mauja were found closed. It seemed that unscientific mining methodologies like improper slope, bench height and width were followed in the stone mines. Unpaved haul road was observed and not properly maintained in and around the mines and crushing units. Inadequate plantation and green coverage were observed and mines found to be situated at a distance of 1.5 km to 2 km from the bank of river Ganga.
The report informed the NGT that mine waste might be getting deposited in the floodplain of river Ganga. There used to be a natural stream 'Moti Jharna' in the Godwa region. However due to land sliding and ground subsidence caused by unscientific mining practice, overburden and other mine wastes got gradually deposited in the stream and the now stream is completely filled with mine wastes.
The National Green Tribunal, May 22, 2023 taking into consideration the joint committee report presented by the SPCB directed the state of Jharkhand through Chief Secretary, District Magistrate, Sahebganj, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board and 13 stone crushers to file their reply within two months.