Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal mining and vanishing of Shivalik Hills, Rupnagar, Punjab, 11/03/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News Item published in The Tribune dated 28.09.2023 titled as "Hills 'vanish' as illegal mining rampant in Beet area" dated 11/03/2024.
The matter related to illegal mining and vanishing of Shivalik Hills, as high as 200 feet in the Beet area of Garhshankar sub-division is under consideration.
The report filed by the Department of Mines and Geology, January 11, 2024 disclosed that the FIRs have been registered against the persons found connected with the illegal mining. The report filed by the Joint Committee constituted by the ADC, Rupnagar disclosed that 22 FIRs have been registered for mining contraventions against crushers installed in Khera Kalmot crusher zone and 27 demand notices have been issued to the mining offenders amounting to Rs. 51.89 crores in the year 2023.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) in its response, March 6, 2024 disclosed the action for imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) against 13 named stone crushers. "It is not in dispute that EC has been imposed by the PPCB for violation of the pollution norms by these stone crushers but no EC has been imposed on any violator who has caused environmental damage by carrying out illegal mining in the forests and mountains area concerned", said the order.
PPCB has sought time to file the action taken report disclosing the action for imposition of EC against the persons responsible for illegal mining and consequential environmental damage. The NGT directed that the report should be filed one week before the next date of hearing, May 14, 2024.