National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled "Villagers Protest ... vs . Ankita Sinha & Ors." Reported In 2021 on 29 July, 2025
Item No. 04 Court No. 1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
Original Application No. 379/2025
News Item titled "Villagers protest stall illegal sand mining in Andhra's
Srikakulam" appearing in The New Indian Express dated 22.07.2025.
Date of hearing: 29.07.2025
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. AFROZ AHMAD, EXPERT MEMBER
Respondent: None
ORDER
1. This original application is registered suo motu on the basis of the news item titled Villagers protest stall illegal sand mining in Andhra's Srikakulam" appearing in The New Indian Express dated 22.07.2025.
2. The news item relates to illegal sand mining in Pathooru village of Amadalavalasa mandal in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh.
3. The news item states that villagers raised objections to unauthorized sand mining activity involving earth movers and heavy vehicles operating along the Nagavali riverbank without requisite permissions. It has also been reported that when the villagers protested against the illegal mining, they were attacked by members of the sand mafia.
4. The news item mentions that the villagers have said that the illegal mining could weaken the river bund and may cause the river to change its path toward their homes, leading to erosion and flooding. 1
5. The above matter indicates violation of the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966.
6. The news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance with the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment.
7. 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 Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors." reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.
8. Hence, we implead the following as respondents in the matter:
1. District Collector, Srikakulam Collectorate Complex, Srikakulam;
2. Andhra Pradesh State Pollution Control Board Paryavaran Bhavan, APIIC Colony Road,Gurunanak Colony, Autonagar,Vijayawada- 520007;
3. Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Through Principal Secretary 5th and 6th Floor, B Block, Shri Anjaneya Towres, Ibrahimpatnam , Vijayawada, Krishna District;
4. Central Pollution Control Board, Through it's member Secretary Parivesh Bhawan, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi-110032.
9. Issue notice to the above respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit before the Southern Zonal Bench of the Tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing. If any respondent directly files the reply without routing it through his advocate, then the said respondent will remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal. 2
10. Since the matter falls within the jurisdiction of Southern Zonal Bench of the Tribunal, therefore, the OA is transferred to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai for appropriate further action. Let the original record of the OA be transferred to Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai.
11. List before Southern Zonal Bench at Chennai on 24.09.2025.
Prakash Shrivastava, CP Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM Dr. Afroz Ahmad, EM July 29, 2025 Original Application No. 379/2025 JG.
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