National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled "Dhamtari-Amethi Mei ... vs . Ankita Sinha & Ors." Reported In 2021 on 7 May, 2024
Item No. 03 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 501/2024
News item titled "/kerjh&vesBh esa jsr mR[kuu tksjksa ij] ugha gks jgh dkjZokbZ"
appearing in Janta Se Rishta dated 28.02.2024
Date of hearing: 07.05.2024
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
ORDER
1. This original application is registered on the basis of the news item titled "/kerjh&vesBh esa jsr mR[kuu tksjksa ij] ugha gks jgh dkjZokbZ" published in 'Janta Se Rishta' dated 28.02.2024.
2. The news item relates to alleged illegal sand mining in Dhamtari District of Chhattisgarh. It discloses that in Village Amethi nearly 5 km away from the District Headquarter, illegal sand mining is in progress and no action has been taken by the authorities. The news item further discloses that everyday several trucks are engaged for committing theft of sand. The local building material suppliers are active in illegal mining of sand from Amethi mines and without paying any royalty, the mining and transportation is in progress and Mining Department has failed to prevent such illegal mining.
3. The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms.
4. Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter suo-motu has been recognized by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of "Municipal 1 Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors." reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.
5. Such illegal sand mining leads to environmental damage, therefore, the appropriate action for imposition of environmental compensation is required to be taken by the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board.
6. Hence, we dispose of the OA directing the Member Secretary, Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board to take appropriate action against the persons who are responsible for the illegal sand mining in accordance with law and submit action taken report before the Registrar of Central Zonal Bench of the Tribunal within three months. If found necessary, the matter will be listed for consideration before the Bench. Let the original record of the OA be transferred to the Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal.
7. A copy of this order be forwarded to the Member Secretary, Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board by e-mail for compliance.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM May 07, 2024 Original Application No. 501/2024 DV 2