Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal lifting of sand from Siripur sand quarry over river Bahuda, Ganjam district, Odisha, 17/10/2023
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Kabiraj Mahapatra Vs Union of India & Others dated 17/10/2023.
According to the applicant, Kabiraj Mahapatra sand is being illegally lifted in Chikiti tehsil, district Ganjam, Siripur area without clearance from State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Odisha in spite of protest by the local villagers of Siripur, Pathargudi, Brukhyalata locality under the district Ganjam, Odisha. The sand is stated to be lifted from the Siripur sand quarry over river Bahuda by unknown persons. The applicant also pointed to newspaper articles mentioning illegal lifting of sand from Siripur sand quarry over river Bahuda. It is also alleged that the sand quarry is being operated by deploying heavy machinery.
The NGT was of the opinion that the matter required consideration and directed notice to be issued to the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board among others. The court also directed the authorities to identify all the sand miners in that particular area and submit a report. The court also directed a four member committee to visit the site and submit its report with regard to the allegations made in the Original Application. In case violations are found, the committee shall recommend penalty as well as environmental compensation and also suggest remedial measures, if any.