Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal auction of sand blocks from river Subarnarekha, within district Jhargram, West Bengal, 03/04/2025
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Ashok Khamri Vs The Chairman and Managing Director, West Bengal Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Limited & Others dated 03/04/2025. The applicant prayed for a stay on illegal auction of sand blocks from river Subarnarekha, within district Jhargram, West Bengal.
The allegation of the applicant is that West Bengal Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Limited, has floated tenders on December 20, 2024 for e-auction to select Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) for several sand blocks to mine sand from river Subarnarekha for a period of 5 years. The date of e-auction was scheduled for January 24, 2025. The sand blocks in question are stated to be 13.
The allegation of the applicant is that sand blocks in question fall within the river and not on the river bed. It is alleged that the allotment of such sand mining blocks within the river water lines can result in damage to the river and the surrounding sand. It is also alleged that sand block Id No- MIN_JH_25; within Sijua mouza, Gopiballabpur is within the close proximity to the guide Dam which protects the nearby densely populated locality from the flood and other river hazards. It is alleged that such illegal removal of sand from the river water near the guide dam and transportation through overloaded vehicles full of sand will cause degradation of the river bed and damage the river banks and also lower the water levels in the surrounding areas.
The NGT directed notice to be issued to the government of West Bengal; Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Integrated Regional Office, Kolkata. All the respondents have been directed to file their counter affidavits.