National Green Tribunal
Mukesh Sharma vs Rajasthan on 7 July, 2021
Item No. 04
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
CENTRAL ZONE BENCH, BHOPAL
(Through Video Conferencing)
Original Application No. 45/2020 (CZ)
with
(I.A. No. 74/2020 & 86/2020)
Mukesh Sharma Applicant(s)
Versus
State of Rajasthan & Ors. Respondent(s)
Date of hearing: 07.07.2021
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHEO KUMAR SINGH, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. ARUN KUMAR VERMA, EXPERT MEMBER
For Applicant(s): Mr. Manav Tanwani, Adv.
For Respondent(s) : Mr. Shoeb Hasan Khan, Adv.
Mr. Arvind Soni, Adv.
Mr. Om Shankar Shrivastav, Adv.
ORDER
1. The issue of illegal mining in the pasture land situated within 10 km periphery of Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) of village Baldevgarh, District Alwar in Rajasthan has been raised in this application. It is alleged that there are many illegal mining leases operating in the area of Village Baldevgarh which have illegally encroached on the natural water drainage system and the mining lease holders frequently used to put overburden in the drainage area of natural water flow and also in the pasture and Sivay Chak land, which obstructs the natural water flow and also destroys the greenery and grass which is important and useful to feed the cattle of villagers and wild animals. The dust and waste generated during mining operations are stacked in the pasture and Sivay Chak land by the lease holders, which has caused harm to the environment and harm to the wildlife.
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2. The Forest Department issued Tiger Conservation Plan Sariska Tiger Reserve for the period 2014-15 to 2023-24 which was approved vide the order dated 31.12.2014 in which it is clearly stated that an area of 680.79 Ha of Village Baldevgarh is protected forest land and Forest Guard Chowki is also situated in the area which falls in Forest Range Tehla.
3. It is alleged that the area in question falls in the Eco-sensitive Zone of the Sariska Tiger Reserve/ Sanctuary and the Eco- sensitive Zone of the Sariska Tiger Reserve/Sanctuary has not yet been notified due to which the 10 kms area from the boundary of the Sariska Tiger Reserve has to be kept as buffer zone and no mining activities can be permitted in the area in question. The Hon'ble National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi vide its order dated 20.12.2018 in the matter of Appeal No. 48/2016 Nityendra Manav Vs State of Rajasthan and Ors., issued following directions in Appeal No.48 of 2016:-
"It is the admitted position that the final notification of Eco- sensitive zone for Sariska Tiger Reserve/Sanctuary is yet to be issued by the MoEF. We, therefore, direct that all mining activities of any mineral will be stopped within 1O kms. of the boundary of Sariska Tiger Reserve/Wildlife Sanctuary till mining leases are cleared by the standing committee of the National Board of Wildlife. All the ECs of the mining leases may be referred to the standing Committee of the NBWL. In case MoEF issues final notification on Eco-sensitive Zone, the mining lease, which fall within the Eco-sensitive Zone will have to have clearance of the standing committee of the NBWL. With this direction the present Appeal no. 48 of 2016 stands disposed of, with no order as to cost."
4. In compliance of aforesaid directions of National Green Tribunal, the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Tiger Reserve, Alwar vide letters dated 14.02.2019, 12.03.2019, 26.03.2019, 03.04.2019, 24.04.2019, 16.05.2019 and 10.06.2019 requested 2 the Mining Engineer, Alwar to immediately stop all the mining leases situated in 10 Km periphery of Sariska Tiger Reserve, until obtaining clearance from the National Board of Wild Life (NBWL). The Deputy Conservator of Forests, STR vide letter dated 05,03.2019 informed the Chief Conservator of Forests and Regional Director, STR, Alwar with regard to directions issued by the National Green Tribunal. Further, the Deputy Conservator of Forests, STR vide letter dated 10.06.2019 also requested the District Collector, Alwar to comply the order issued by the National Green Tribunal.
5. The applicant moved several complaints/ representations and also approached to the local Administrative Authority but despite repeated written representation, the lease holders are operating mining leases out of their sanctioned mining area and in excess to the depth and width as prescribed in the permission and no action was taken by the Administrative Authorities, thus aggrieved by the inaction on part of the Administrative Authority the applicant was forced to file this application with intend to protect the area.
6. The matter was taken up on 31.07.2020 and this Tribunal constituted a Committee consisting Collector, Alwar, District Mining Officer, Alwar and representative of State Pollution Control Board with the directions to submit factual and action taken report. Further vide order dated 14.10. 2020, Divisional Forest Officer and the Chief Wildlife Warden were directed to submit a report as to whether the area of the mining is within the prohibited zone area of the Sariska Tiger Reserve and to submit the report before this Tribunal.
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7. The Joint Committee submitted its report dated 27.08.2020. which is reproduced below:
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vof/k fnukad 17/1672 Dated ls 2022&23 rd 2020 rd dh
31-03-2022 09.07.2016 ds fy, ekbZfuax
ls i;kZoj.k vof/k ds
rd ds fy, Ldhe vuqeksfnr vuqefr tkjh dh
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dqekj 'kekZ fu;a=.k Environment vfHk;ark] t;iqj funs'kky; ds dk;Z pkyw
e.My] Impact ds i= Øekad i= Ø gSA
Assessment
vyoj ds Authority. Alwar
v[kv@t;@ek- S29024/GR/RAJ/
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i= Øekad (Raj.) ls
Ldhe@i&236@ ng/2753 fnukad
95&97 DEIAA/AWR/ 17@27 fnukad 17-09-2019 ls
fnukad 24- File/175/201 6- 12-01-2018 ls [kuu izca/kd dh
04-2017 ls 17/1660 Dated vof/k 2018&19 fnukad 20-08-
vof/k fnukad 09.07.2016 ls ls 2022&23 rd
i;kZoj.k 2020 rd dh
31-03-2022 ds fy, ekbZfuax vof/k ds
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3- 167@88 eS0 izn"w k.k District level v/kh{k.k [kfu [kku lqj{kk [kuu
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ekcZYl e.My] Impact ds i= Øekad i= Ø gSA
Assessment
vyoj ds Authority. Alwar
v[kv@t;@ek- S29024/GR/RAJ/
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i= Øekad (Raj.) ls
Ldhe@i&418@ ng/2753 fnukad
1825 fnukad DEIAA/AWR/ 2018@789 27-09-2019 ls
01-05-2017 File/176/201 6- fnukad 12-01- [kuu izca/kd dh
17/1649 Dated
ls vof/k 2018 ls vof/k fnukad 20-08-
09.07.2016 ls
fnukad 31- 2018&19 ls 2020 rd dh
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03-2022 rd 2022&23 rd ds vof/k ds
iwokZuqefr tkjh
ds fy, fy, ekbZfuax vuqefr tkjh dh
dh gqbZ gSA
dUlsUV Vw Ldhe vuqeksfnr gqbZ gSA
vkWijsV gSA
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4
4- 341@87 Jh v'kksd izn"w k.k District level v/kh{k.k [kfu [kku lqj{kk [kuu
vtesjk fu;a=.k Environment vfHk;ark] t;iqj funs'kky; ds dk;Z pkyw
e.My] Impact ds i= Øekad i= Ø gSA
Assessment
vyoj ds Authority. Alwar
v[kv@t;@ek- S29024/GR/RAJ/
Alwar/0134/Ma
i= Øekad (Raj.) ls
Ldhe@15 ng/556 fnukad
1841 fnukad DEIAA/AWR/ fnukad 12-01- 25-02-2020 ls
11-05-2017 File/174/201 6- 2018 ls vof/k [kuu izca/kd dh
17/1625 Dated
ls vof/k 2022&23 rd ds fnukad 20-02-
09.07.2016 ls
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04-2022 rd Ldhe vuqeksfnr vof/k ds
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ds fy, gSA vuqefr tkjh dh
dh gqbZ gSA
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5- 342@87 Jh fouksn izn"w k.k District level v/kh{k.k [kfu [kku lqj{kk [kuu
vtesjk fu;a=.k Environment vfHk;ark] t;iqj funs'kky; ds dk;Z pkyw
e.My] Impact ds i= Øekad i= Ø gSA
Assessment
vyoj ds Authority. Alwar
v[kv@t;@ek- S29024/GR/RAJ/
Alwar/0134/Ma
i= Øekad (Raj.) ls
Ldhe@09 ng/556 fnukad
1830 fnukad DEIAA/AWR/ fnukad 12-01- 25-02-2020 ls
1-05-2017 ls File/177/201 6- 2018 ls vof/k [kuu izca/kd dh
vof/k fnukad 17/1637 Dated 2022&23 rd ds fnukad 20-02-
31-03-2022 09.07.2016 ls fy, ekbZfuax
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rd ds fy, Ldhe vuqeksfnr vof/k ds
dUlsUV Vw iwokZuqefr tkjh gSA
dh gqbZ gSA vuqefr tkjh dh
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6- 239@87 Jh vf/klwpuk bZ-lh- ds
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i= Øekad 1(a)B2(E.C)14-
Ldhe@131 ng/927 fnukad
45&48 15 Jaipur fnukad 06-03- 28-04-2020 ls
fnukad 27- fnukad 28-03- 2018 ls vof/k [kuu izca/kd dh
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rd ds fy, dh gqbZ gSA gSA vuqefr tkjh dh
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1- [kuu iV~Vk la[;k 278@88 iV~~Vs/kkjh Jherh fueZyk 'kekZ % ekSds ij bl [kuu iV~Vs ds
lHkh lhek LrEHk iDds cus gq, ik;s x;s ftudk fMekjds'ku fjiksVZ ds vuqlkj dksfMZusV dk lR;kiu fd;k x;k tks lgh ik;k x;kA oDr fujh{k.k [kuu iV~Vk {ks= esa [kuu dk;Z pkyw ik;k x;kA orZeku esa [kuu dk;Z ds nkSjku eyck u ds cjkcj fudyrk gSA mDr [kku dh [kuu & fiV vkkoafVr {ks= ds lEiw.kZ Hkkx rd foLr`r gSA [kuu ls cgqr de ek=k esa eyck fudyrk gSA gkyafd eyck [kuu {ks= ds ckgj ljdkjh Hkwfe ij Mkyk tk jgk gSA tks f dux.; vkdkj dk gSA 5 2- [kuu iV~Vk la[;k 160@87 iV~V/s kjh Jh eukst 'kekZ %& ekSds ij bl [kuu iV~Vs ds lHkh lhek lrEHk iDds cus gq, ik;s x;s ftudk fMekjds'ku fjiksVZ ds vuqlkj dksfMZusV dk lR;kiu fd;kk x;k tks lgh ik;k x;kA oDr fujh{k.k [kUu iv~Vk {ks= essa [kUu dk;Z pkyw ik;k x;kA orZeku esa [kuu dk;Z ds nkSjku eyck u ds cjkcj fudyrk gSA ,Dr [kku dh [kuu & fiV vkoafVr {ks= ds lEiw.kZ Hkkx rd foLr`r gSA [kuu ls cgqr de ek=k esa eyck fudyrk gSA gkykafd eyck [kuu {ks= ds ckgj ljdkjh Hkwfe ij Mkyk tk jgk gSA tks fd ux.k; vkdj dk gSA 3- [kuu iV~Vk la[;k 167@88 iV~V/s kkjh eSllZ ,l-,l-ekcZy %& ekSds ij bl [kuu iV~Vs ds lHkh lhek lrEHk iDds cus gq, ik;s x;s ftudk fMekjds'ku fjiksVZ ds vuqlkj dksfMZusV fjiksVZ ds vuqlkj dksfMZusV dk lR;kiu fd;k x;k tks lgh ik;k x;kA oDr fujh{k.k [kUu iv~Vk {ks= esa [kuu dk;Z pkyw ik;k x;k AorZeku esa [kuu dk;Z ds nksjku eyck u ds cjkcj fudyrk gSA mDr [kku dh [kuu & fiV vkoafVr {ks= ds lEiw.kZ Hkkx rd foLr`r gSA [kuu ls cgqr de ek=k esa eyck fudyrk gS Agkykafd eyck [kuu {ks= ds ckgj ljdkjh Hkwfe ij Mkyk tk jgk gSA tks fd ux.; vkdkj dk gSA 4- [kuu iV~Vk la[;k 341@87 iV~V/s kkjh Jh v'kksd vtesjk %& ekSds ij bl [kuu iV~Vs ds lHkh lhek lrEHk iDds cus gq, ik;s x;s ftudk fMekjds'ku fjiksVZ ds vuqlkj dksfMZuVs dk lR;kiu fd;k x;k tks lgh ik;k x;kA oDr fujh{k.k [kuu iV~Vk {ks= esa [kuu dk;Z pkyw ik;k x;k ,oa [kuu dk;Z ds nkSjku fudyus okyk eyck [kuu iV~Vk {ks= esa gh Mkyk tk jgk gSA 5- [kuu iV~Vk la[;k 342@87 iV~Vs/kkjh Jh fouksn vtesjk %& ekSds ij bl [kuu iV~Vs ds lHkh lhek LFkEHk iDds cus gq, ik;s x;s ftudk fMekjds'ku fjiksVZ ds vuqlkj dksfMZusV dk lR;kiu fd;k x;k tks lgh ik;k x;kA oDr fujh{k.k [kuu iV~Vk {ks= esa [kuu dk;Z pkyw ik;k x;k ,oa [kuu dk;kZsa ds nkSjku fudyus okyk eyck [kuu iV~Vk ds nf{k.k esa pkjkxkg esa Mkyk x;k gSA orZeku esa eyck ugh ads cjkcj fudyrk gSA ekSds ij iV~Vs/kkjh dks funsZf'kr fd;k x;k fd [kuu iV~Vs ls ckgj tks eyck Mkyk x;k gS] mlds 'kh?kz gVk;k tkosA 6- [kuu iV~Vk la[;k 239@87 iV~Vk/kkjh Jh paUnz'ks[kj 'kekZ %& ekSds ij [kuu dk;Z cUn gS rFkk [kuu fiV esa cjlkrh ikuh Hkjk gqvk gSA 7- [kuu iV~Vk la[;k 121@04 iV~Vk/kkjh Jh izes dqekj [kaMy s oky %& ekSds ij [kuu dk;Z cUn gS rFkk [kuu fiV esa cjlkrh ikuh Hkjk gqvk gSA 8- [kuu iV~Vk la[;k 376@87 iV~Vk/kkjh Jh vfuy 'kekZ %& ekSds ij bl [kuu iV~Vs ds lHkh lhek LrEHk iDds cus gq;s ik;s x;sA oDr fujh{k.k [kuu iV~Vk {ks= esa [kuu dk;Z cUn ik;k x;kA 6 oDr tkap [kuu iV~Vk la[;k ,e-,y- ua-278@88] 160@87] 167@88] 341@87] 342@87 esa [kuu dk;Z pkyw ik;k x;k rFkk ekSds ij dksbZ voS/k [kuu gksrk gqvk ugha ik;k x;k ,oa dk;Z ds nkSjku [kuu iV~Vksa esa eyck ux.; gSA [kuu iV~Vk/kkjh ,e-,y- 342@87 o ,e-,y-341@87 ds }kjk 100&120 fQV dh xgjkbZ ds e/; esa [kuu dk;Z fd;k tk jgk gS ,oa [kuu iV~Vk/kkjh ,e-,y-ua-278@88] 160@87 o 167@88 ds }kjk 150&200 fQV dh xgjkbZ ds e/; esa [kuu dk;Z fd;k tk jgk gSA xzkeh.kksa ds }kjk voxr djk;k x;k fd pV~Vkuh lrg ij Hkwfexr okVj ysoy yxHkx 300 fQV dh xgjkbZ ds uhps gSA bl laca/k esa xzkeh.kksa ls c;ku Hkh fy;s x;ss tks bl tkap fjiksVZ ds lkFk layXu gSA [kuu iV~Vk la[;k ,e-,y-278@88] 341@87] 342@87] 239@87 ,oa 121@04 esa dqN ikuh Hkjk gqvk ik;k x;kA ekSds ij pkyw iV~Vksa esa [kuu fiV ds lkbZM Qsl dh njkjksa esa ikuh fjl dj vkuk ik;k x;kA [kuu iV~Vk/kkfj;ksa }kjk crk;k x;k fd cjlkr dk ikuh fjl dj vk jgk gSA mDr [kkuksa esa 3 [kkus & ,e-,y- ua-167@88] 276@88 o 160@88 ,d gh LFkku ij vofLFkr gSa rFkk 2 [kku ,e-,y- ua-341@87 o 342@87 mDr rhu [kkuksa ds LFkku ls dqN nwjh ij vofLFkr gSaA mDr nksuksa gh vofLFkfr;ksa ij Hkwfexr ty Lrj tkuus gsrq dqvks]a gS.MiEi o cksyoSy dk ty Lrj tkuus dk iz;kl fd;k x;kA orZeku esa cjlkr dk ikuh gksus ls LFkkuh; dqvksa dk tyLrj xehZ lnhZ dh Hkwfexr ty Lrj ls O;kid var jky okyk Kkr gqvkA LFkkuh; fuokfl;ksa us crk;k gS fd dqN dqvksa esa Hkwfexr ty Lrj 10 ls 80 fQV ds e/; gS tcfd dqa,s leku xgjkbZ okys gksrs gq;s Hkh lw[k x;s gSaA [kuu iV~Vk la[;k ,e-,y-ua-341@87 ,oa ,e-,y- ua- 342@87 ds ikl ,d uohu cksfjax gS ftldh xgjkbZ eqrkfcd c;kukr~ ekfyd djhc 350 fQV gSA [kuu iV~Vk la[;k ,e-,y-ua-167@88] ,e-,y-ua-278@88 ,oa ,e-,y-160@87 ds ikl vofLFkr gS ,d gS.MiEi tks fd pkyw gS fd xgjkbZ 160 ls 180 fQV ds e/; gSA vr% [kuu iV~vk/kkfj;ksa }kjk [kuu dk;Z Hkwfexr tyLrj dh xgjkbZ ds lehi gh fd;k tkuk izrhr gSA LFkkuh; fuokfl;ks@ a dk'krkjksa ds c;kuksa dh izfr layXu gSA bl {ks= esa [kuu dk;Z o"kZ 1985 ls gksrk vk jgk gSA rRdkyhu le; esa 20&25 [kuu iV~Vs Lohd`r Fks tks /khjs&/khjs [kf.Mr gks x;s vkSj orZeku esa 8 [kuu iV~Vs izHkko'khy gSa ftuesa ek= 5 [kuu iV~Vksa esa [kuu dk;Z pkyw gSA {ks= esa pkjkxkg@flok;pd Hkwfe esa iqjkuk eyck iM+k gqvk gSA [kuu iV~Vk la[;k ,e-,y- ua-278@87] 160@87] 167@88 esa orZeku esa [kuu dk;Z ds nkSjku eyck u ds cjkcj fudyrk gSA [kuu iV~Vk la[;k ,e-,y-ua-41@87 esa orZeku esa [kuu dk;Z ds nkSjku eyck ugh ads cjkcj fudyrk gS rFkk bl [kuu iV~Vs dk eyck [kuu iV~Vk {ks= esa gh iM+k gvk gSA [kuu iV~Vk la[;k ,e-,y- ua-342@87 esa [kuu dk;Z ds nkSjku eyck 7 ugha ds cjkcj fudyrk gSA ekSds ij [kuu iV~Vk la[;k ,e-,y-ua-342@87 ds iV~Vk/kkjh dks funsZf'kr fd;k x;k fd [kuu iV~Vs ls ckgj tks eyck Mkyk x;k gS] mls 'kh?kz gVk;k tkosA ekSds ij tkap djkus ij ik;k x;k fd [kuu dk;Z eycs ,oa [kuu xfrfof/k;ksa ls ikuh ds izkd``frd cgko {ks= dks vojksf/kr ugha fd;k tk jgk gSA fVIi.kh %& 1- {ks= esa voS/k [kuu gksrk gqvk ugha ik;k x;k ,oa iV~V/s kkfj;ksa }kjk ftuesa [kuu dk;Z pkyw gS muds }kjk fu;ekuqlkj i;kZoj.k Dyhjsl a o jktLFkku iznw"k.k cksMZ ls tkjh dUlsUV Vw vkWijsV ysdj gh [kuu dk;Z fd;k tk jgk gSA 2- oDr fujh{k.k ek= [kuu iV~Vk ,e-,y- ua-342@87 }kjk [kuu iV~Vk {ks= ls ckgj eyck Mkyk gqvk gS ftlls iV~Vs/kkjh dks 'kh?kz gVkus gsrq funsZf'kr fd;k x;k gS orZeku esa [kuu ds nkSjku eyck u ds cjkcj fudyrk gSA 3- {ks= cYnsox<+ esa [kuu iV~V/s kkfj;ksa }kjk [kuu Hkwfexr ty Lrj ds lehi fd;k tk jgk gS rFkk Hkwfexr ty Lrj ¼Ground Water Table½ dks foHkkftr ¼Intersect½ ugha fd;k tk jgk gSA 4- [kuu dk;Z eyck ,oa [kuu xfrfof/k;ksa ls ikuh ds izkd`frd cgko dks vo:) ugha fd;k tk jgk gSA
8. The Applicant had submitted some objections on this report as follows:
1. The present original application is filed raising various serious and urgent issues pertaining to illegal mining going on at the pasture land situated within 10 km periphery of Sariska Tiger Reserve (SIR) of village Baldevgarh, District Alwar, and illegally pulling the overburden on the pasture land (Charagah) and Sivay Chak Government Land by the Respondent No. 11-15 who are carrying out mining activities within 10 km of the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
2. The Hon'ble Tribunal after hearing the petitioner had vide its order dated 31.07.2020 instructed the State Departments to conduct an inspection on the site in question and in furtherance whereof, a report has been filed by the Concerned Authorities. The instant Report filed by the concerned Officials appears to have been made by the officers 8 in connivance with the illegal miners and hence certain objections are being filed against the report.
3. The Authorities have prepared the report in a manner so as to provide undue advantage to the illegal miners, who are disturbing the ecological balance of the earth by carrying out certain activities, which have been stated in the instant original application. The mines which are operating in the area have shown least concern about the environment and the environment laws. Illegal mining has been taking place in the area, since a very long time and even the concerned authorities have kept quite over a period of time. The miners have occupied the Saway Chak land by dumping huge piles of debris and therefore causing the environmental dis-
balance.
With respect to the mining lease No. 278/88 (Lease Holder:
Smt. Nirmala Sharma) -- the inspection committee in its report has wrongly stated that the mine creates debris (malba) in a very small quantity and the mine is operating in the area allotted to it. Whereas, the picture on the site is entirely different. The mine has created huge hill like piles of the debris on the government land which is used for the purpose of grazing by the animals of the villagers of the village. Various complaints relating to the instant issue have been made by the residents to the officials of the Gram Panchayat as well as other Government Authorities, but no action has been taken by them in this regard.
With respect to the mining lease No. 160/87 (Lease Holder :
Sh. Manoj Sharma)-- the inspection committee in its report has wrongly stated that the mine creates debris (rnalba) in a very small quantity and the mine is operating in the area allotted to it. Whereas, the picture on the site is entirely different. The inspection committee in its report has also stated that the mine dumps the debris on the Government Land which is in very less quantity. It has been wrongly stated that the mine dumps the debris in very less quantity 9 but the position on the site is entirely different and the miner has dumped huge loads of debris on the Government Land and hence the animals are not able to live freely and hence hampering the eco -- system.
With respect to the mining lease No. 167/88 (Lease Holder :
M/s S S. Marble) --The inspection committee in its report has wrongly stated that the miner is operating its mine on the area allotted to him whereas the picture on the site shows that the miner has also illegally occupied the Charagah Bhoomi situated at Khasra No. 387 and is mining illegally on the above mentioned land. The land bearing Khasra No. 387 is a Government Land and specifically for the purpose of grazing by the animals and mining activity on the said land cannot be allowed.
The inspection committee in its report has wrongly stated that the mine creates debris (malba) in a very small quantity and the mine is operating in the area allotted to it. Whereas, the picture on the site is entirely different. The inspection committee in its report has also stated that the mine dumps the debris on the government land which is in very less quantity. It has been wrongly stated that the mine dumps the debris in very less quantity but the position on the site is entirely different and the miner has dumped huge loads of debris on the Government Land and hence the animals are not able to live freely and hence hampering the eco -- system.
4. The statements which have been taken by the inspection committee are of the laborers who are currently working at the mines and hence cannot be expected to be true as they have been taken by causing pressure upon them. The statements can also not be accepted as those statements belong to certain interested people which cannot be taken into evidence and hence they cannot be read along with the report.10
5. The inspection committee in its report has slated that no mine has ever disturbed the ground water sources whereas, the tube well on established on Lease No. 160/87 itself is 160-180 feets in depth and the mining activities are going on parallel to it which is sheer violation of the environmental principles as the water coming out of the tube well can no way be considered to be pure.
6. The inspection committee in its report has very well stated that mining is being carried out in the area in question since 1988 and has never stopped since then. Whereas, as per the order dated 20.12.2018 passed by the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, the mining operation in the area is required to be immediately stopped in all the mining lenses situated in 10 Kms. periphery of Sariska Tiger Reserve. Until obtaining clearance from the National Board of Wild Life (NBWL). The report filed by the committee is silent on the issue whether the mining leases fall within the l0 kms.
periphery of Sariska Tiger Reserve or not. The Government Authorities have disregarded the orders passed by the Hon'ble Tribunal in this regard.
7. The inspection report is also silent upon the issue of health and safety concern of the laborers working at the mines. The miners have least concern about the health and safety conditions of the workers who are working at the leases. No safety measures have been taken by the miners and no clean drinking water is being provided to the workers working at the mines.
9. Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board has submitted the compliance report with the facts that the Eco Sensitive Zones (ESZ) are being declared by the Ministry of Environment and Forest&Climate Change (MoEF&CC), New Delhi in consultation with the State Forest Department. The ESZ for Sariska National Park, Sariska has not been finalized, though the draft has been 11 prepared. The State Board has made a request to DCF (Deputy Conservator of Forest) Sariska Tiger Project, Sariska, Alwar and the DCF, Sariska Tiger Project again requested the State Board to provide the soft copy of GPS coordinates and KML files of the disputed mining leases so as to ascertain whether they are falling within ESZ. Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board has also annexed the copy of draft dated 04.03.2021, which has been published in the Gazette of India and now under process of finalization.
10. DCF, Sariska Rajasthan vide his application in compliance of the order has submitted that a report was called from the DCF, Sariska Tiger Project, Sariska in which, it has been narrated that the draft notification has been issued by the Government of India on 04.03.2021 declaring Sariska reserve as Eco-Sensitive Zone, final notification has not yet been issued by the Government of India. It has further been stated that in the report where the final notification is yet to be issued, the Eco-Sensitive area will have to be 10 km from the Tiger Reserve. The report further reveals that out of eight mines three are closed and five are still in operation and the distance of these mining from the boundary of the Sariska Tiger Reserve/Sanctuary is ranging from 10 meters to 150 meters and these mines are situated within the boundary of even the proposed Eco-sensitive zone. The State Authorities have not taken any action against the illegal mining within the Eco Sensitive Zone. The Annexure RDCF-1 is reproduced below:
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rF;kRed fjiksZV Ekkuuh; gfjr vf/kdj.k ,u- th-Vh Hkksiky esa fopkjk/khu vkWfjtuy ,Iyhds'ku 45@2020 ¼lh-tsM½ Jh eqds'k 'kekZ cuke jktLFkku esa ikfjr vkns'k fnukad 10-06- 2021 ds lac/a k esa ck?k ifj;kstuk lfjLdk ds bdkslsulsfVo tksu ls izHkkfor xzke cynsox< rglhy jktx< ftyk vyoj esa 8 [kuu iVVksa ds laca/k esa rF;kRed fjiksZV fuEukuqlkj gS A dz-la- [kfut iVVk/kkjd dk lfjLdk VkbZxj Tkh-ih-,l orZeku uke fjtZo dh fLFkfr ckm.Mªh ls nwjh 1- M.L.No.278/1988(R- 100 ehVj N.27˚08'29.4" pkyw 78/2007) S76˚23'00.5"
Smt.Nirmala Sharma 2- M.L.No.160/1987(R- 10 ehVj N.27˚08'32.4" pkyw 116/2007) S76˚22'55.8"
Shri.Manoj Kumar Sharma 3- M.L.No.167/1988(R- 10 ehVj N27˚08'39.9" pkyw 72/2007) S76˚22'54.9"
SA/S.S.Marble Shri Shishupal Sharma 4- M.L.No.341/1987(R- 150 ehVj N.27˚08'16.6" pkyw 107/2007) S76˚22'26.3"
Shri Ashok Ajmera 5- M.L.No.342/1987(R- 150 ehVj N27˚08'13.1" pkyw 80/2007) S76˚22'25.7"
Shri Vinod Kumar Ajmera 6- M.L.No.121/2004 50 ehVj N.27˚08'21.2" cUn Shri Prem Kumar S76˚22'54.5"
7- M.L.No.239/1987(R- 10 ehVj N27˚08'44.0" cUn 4/1998) S76˚22'50.9"
Shri Chandra Shekhar Sharma 13 8- M.L.No.176/1987 150 ehVj N.27˚08'26.7" cUn S76˚22'24.9"
Shri.Anil Kumar Sharma lHkh ekbZUl izLrkfor bdkslsulsfVo tksu dh ifjf/k esa fLFkr gS A lfjLdk VkbZxj fjtZo ds bdkslsulsfVo tksu dk Mªk¶V uksfVfQds'ku Hkkjr ljdkj }kjk fnukad 04-0302021 dks ykjh fd;k x;k gS A vfUre uksfVfQds'ku tkjh ugha fd;k x;k gS A ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;y; ds funsZ'kkuqlkj tc rd vfUre uksfVfQds'ku tkjh u gks tkos ] rc rd bdkslsulsfVo tksu dk {ks=] ck?k ifj;kstuk {ks= dh lhek ls 10 fdyksehVj dh ifjf/k rd jgsxk A rF;kRed fjiksZV izLrqr gS A
11. Learned counsel appearing for the State has submitted that strong and immediate action shall be taken by the State in compliance of the order of the Hon'ble the Supreme Court with regard to Eco-Sensitive Zone within a short time.
12. Govt. of India, MoEF&CC has issued guidelines for declaration of ESZ around National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries with direction to the State Governments to take necessary action and to finalise the Eco Sensitive Zones around National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Further, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was also filed in the Goa Foundation vide Writ Petition No. 460/2004 before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India regarding the issue of declaration of ESZ and vide order dated 04.12.2006, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India has directed the MoEF to give a final opportunity to the all States / Union Territories to response to the letter and that the State Government have to send their proposal within a time limit and it was also directed that there shall not be any further activities which are in prohibited category within the 10 Kms. zone of ESZ. The basic aim is to regulate certain activities around the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, so 14 as to minimise the negative impact of such activities on the fragile eco system in-compassing the protected area. MoEF & CC, Government of India has also issued an OM regarding procedure for consideration of development projects located within 10 kms of National Parks/Wildlife sanctuary Vide F.No. 22-43/2018-IA.III dated 8th August 2019 wherein cognisance of the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 04.08.2006 in the matter of T.N. Godavarman Thirumulupad Vs UOI in W.P. (C) N0. 202 of 1995 and dated 21.04.14in the matter of Goa Foundation Vs. UOI in W.P. (C) 435 of 2012 have been taken and mentioned that proposals involving mining of minerals within ESZ (or)one kilometre from the boundary of National Parks and Sanctuary whichever is higher is prohibited.
13. Annexure-1, Sl. No.1 totally prohibits a commercial mining, thus, the mining within the ESZ is prohibited. Learned Counsel appearing for the applicant has submitted that inspite of above guidelines issued by the MoEF&CC, the State Authorities or local Administration are directly or indirectly permitting the illegal mining within the ESZ.
I.A No. 74/2020
14. Applicant had moved an I.A No. 74/2020 with a prayer that the commercial illegal mining shall be restricted and prohibited in light of the provisions contained in the guidelines issued by the Ministry and the Local Authority may be directed to take necessary steps not only prohibiting the commercial mining but also to calculate and realize Environmental Compensation according to law.
15
15. Learned Counsel for the applicant has submitted that so many vehicles are involved in carrying the illegal sand mining and State Authorities are not taking proper action. He has also drawn the attention of the Bench, about the direction issued on 26.2.2021 by the Principal Bench of this Tribunal in O.A. 360/2015 National Green Tribunal Bar Association vs. Virendar Singh & Ors. with regard to the action being taken against the vehicles involved in illegal mining, relevant paras are quoted below :
"8. Another issue bearing on the enforcement mechanism is the action against the vehicles used in illegal sand mining. Seizure of such vehicles is required and release of seized vehicles lightly, defeats the purpose of the coercive measures. Since the vehicles are in a way weapon of offence, the same cannot be dealt with in the manner disputed property is dealt with under section 451 Cr. PC. by releasing the same in favour of the ostensible owner by taking an entrustment/indemnity bond/ sapurdginama. In Sujit Kumar Rana, (2004) 4 SCC 129 and order dated 26.03.2019 in Cr. A. 524/2019, State of Madhya Pradesh v. Uday Singh, it was held that special procedure for seizure and release of such vehicles prevails over the procedure under Section 451 Cr.P.C. This Tribunal earlier directed, in the case of illegal mining in Meghalaya that such vehicles should be released only on the payment of 50% of the showroom value. The same was affirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in 2019 (8) SCC 177. Similar order was passed by the Tribunal on 05.04.2019 and dated 26.07.2019 in O.A. No. 670/2018, Atul Chouhan v. State of U.P., which stands affirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court vide order dated 07.05.2019 in C.A. No. 1590/2019. Thus, the procedure under Cr.P.C. for release of vehicles on superdari without stringent conditions would not apply in respect of action taken for enforcement of Sustainable Guidelines issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EP Act) and for enforcement of orders of this Tribunal under Section 15 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (NGT Act).16
However, having regard to the difficulty expressed by the State that requirement to pay 50% of the showroom value of the vehicle was resulting in vehicles not being released at all, the earlier order was modified on 19.02.2020 to the effect that following scale of amount be recovered for release of the seized vehicles:-
Sr. Category of Vehicle Penalty
No. Amount
1 Vehicles/Equipments/Excavators with Rs. 4 lacs
showroom value more than Rs. 25 lacs and
less than 5 years old.
2 Vehicles/Equipments/Excavators with showroom Rs. 3 lacs
value more than Rs. 25 lacs and more than 5
years but less than 10 years old.
3 For the remaining Vehicles older than 10 Rs. 2 lacs
years/Equipments/ Excavators which are otherwise legally permissible to be operated and not covered by Serial No. 1 and 2.
Note - I: On repetition of the offence by the same vehicle/ equipment, Order dated 05.04.2019 will be applicable. Note - II: The option of release may be available for a period of one month from the date of seizure and thereafter, the vehicles may be confiscated and auctioned.
9. Following further directions were issued :-
"6. The State may issue an appropriate Office Order/Rule to the above effect and publish the same. Needless to say that any private contract between a financer and a debtor cannot affect the States' sovereign power to protect the environment and take incidental coercive measure for enforcement of rule of law. Lien of the State will override any private interest. The above compensation regime will be over and above any existing Rules or provisions. The amount collected may be remitted to the State PCBs/PCCs for being utilized for restoration of the environment.
7. The above course of action will be permissible to all the States at their option."
So far as the calculation of environmental compensation is concerned the guidelines have been provided in para 10,11 & 12 of the order quoted above.
16. Accordingly, we direct that the activities which are prohibited in Annexure-1 of the guidelines, which was issued by the Ministry 17 referred above dated 09.02.2011 and/or which are prohibited by the orders of the Honb'le Supreme Court must be strictly prohibited and complied with and further Local Administration, State Authorities, and Chief Wildlife Warden is directed to take necessary action to enforce the guidelines issued above. The State Pollution Control Board is directed to take necessary step and also calculate the Environmental Compensation according to law. I.A. No. 86/2020
17. Learned Counsel appearing for the applicant has submitted that the applicant is facing threat from outsider and the person who are engaged in business of illegal mining and thus certain police protection may be provided. The applicant may move an application before the State Authorities and the State Authorities may after hearing the applicant pass a suitable order according to law.
I.As. No. 74/2020 & 86/2020 stands disposed of accordingly Put up on 7th September, 2021 with further action taken report.
Sheo Kumar Singh, JM Arun Kumar Verma, EM July 7th, 2021 O.A. 45-2020(CZ) with I.A. No.74/2020 & 86/2020 PU & K 18