Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal sand mining on the banks of Kanhar and Malia river in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, 03/05/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News item titled "Baalu Khanan joro par" appearing in SBN Live dated 27.02.2024 dated 03/5/2024.
The original application was registered suo motu on the basis of the news item titled "Baalu Khanan joro par" appearing in ‘SBN Live’ dated February 27, 2024. The news item related to illegal sand mining on the banks of Kanhar river and Malia river in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh.
As per the article, a tractor transporting illegally mined sand from Kanhar River near Deodhi Gram Panchayat was caught from the foothills of Jatajua hills. The news item also contained the feedback of local residents that as soon as the evening falls, rumbling of tractors can be heard in the areas situated along the rivers throughout the night making it difficult for them to sleep. This showed the extent of illegal mining which is in progress in that area. On advance notice, the report on behalf of the District Magistrate, Sonbhadra has been filed which encloses the report of the committee comprising of Tehsildar, Duddhi, Mining Inspector, Sonbhadra, Mining Surveyor and Regional Accountant appears to have been constituted by the District Magistrate and on that basis, it has been stated that on the Kanhar and Malia Rivers, small pits at several places were seen but, there were no sign of recent mining.
It is difficult to believe such a report because the news item itself stated that the matter was brought to the notice of the administrative authorities several times, the bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava pointed out.
The NGT said that if the illegal sand mining has been done then the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) must ascertain the extent of environmental damage caused by such illegal sand mining and take appropriate action for levy of environmental compensation upon the person responsible for the same.
The NGT directed the Member Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to take appropriate action and file an action taken report.