National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled "From Ropar To ... vs Unknown on 27 March, 2025
Item No. 14 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No.553/2024
News item titled "From Ropar to Hoshiarpur via HP 30-km detour as illegal
mining damages bridge" appearing in The Indian Express dated
10.04.2024.
Date of hearing: 27.03.2025
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHIR AGARWAL, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
Applicant:
Respondents: Mr. Saurabh Balwani, Adv. for CPCB
Mr. Udit Vaghela, Adv. for PPCB (Through VC)
ORDER
1. In this Original Application, registered suo-moto, the Tribunal is considering the issue of illegal sand mining in Swan river specially in the villages of Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Taran Tara and Hoshiarpur Districts. The Tribunal in the order dated 28.08.2024 had noted that by obtaining the satellite images for the period excluding the monsoon period, the extent of illegal mining in the area concerned can be ascertained, hence, directed the CPCB to obtain satellite images of the stretches concerned for the last five years excluding the monsoon period, analyze them and ascertain the extent of illegal sand mining specially 1000 meter both side of the bridge which was damage in July, 2023.
2. The CPCB has filed the report dated 25.03.2025 stating that the satellite data was received from the New Space India Limited which was provided to Punjab Remote Sensing Center ('PRSC') which has responded that the capabilities of 3D mapping of satellite images is not available with 1 PRSC and it is only capable of 2D mapping which does not give the depth of the craters to assess the mining activities.
3. Learned counsel appearing for the CPCB submits that now the CPCB will approach the other Expert Agencies for 3D mapping of the satellite images received.
4. Let the same be done within eight weeks and further action taken report be filed.
5. List on 28.07.2025.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP Sudhir Agarwal, JM Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM March 27, 2025 Original Application No.553/2024 A..
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