NGT forms joint panel to probe illegal sand mining in Yamuna

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a joint panel to investigate the ground reality following a complaint regarding the disruption of the flow of the Yamuna through illegal sand mining on the Haryana-Uttar Pradesh border in Karnal district. The panel has to submit its report within eight weeks.

Allegedly being carried out on Haryana-Uttar Pradesh border in Karnal district

Pradeep Dahiya, a resident of Sonepat, filed a complaint with the NGT in March, claiming that M/S Chaudhary Transport Company was indulging in illegal mining, which was a violation of environmental norms and Environmental Clearance (EC) conditions.

He alleged that as per the terms, the company was provided only one entry and one exit for the mining project area, but it had made four entries and exit points.

The complainant said a checkpoint was only at Tapu road while three more entry-exit points were being used for the transportation of illegally mined sand. He also filed an affidavit and photographs along with his complaint.

Dahiya further claimed that the river flow had been affected, and a criminal case had been registered against the company by Gangoh police of Saharanpur district, UP, on March 30.

The FIR was registered against the company after an inspection was conducted by the Mining and Revenue Departments of UP on March 29.

The committee in its report said the company conducted illegal sand mining from a total area of 7,414 sq metres within the river’s course. The depth of the excavation was found to be about 2 metres, leading to the illegal extraction of 14,828 cubic metres of sand. The joint committee said the lease owners (mining company) and other persons illegally extracted and transported sand, thereby earning profits and causing revenue loss to the UP Government.

Considering the seriousness of the allegations, the Principal Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava, and comprising judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad, in its order on April 4, formed a joint panel comprising the representatives of the Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Member Secretary, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Regional Office, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chandigarh, and the District Magistrates of Karnal and Saharanpur.

The Karnal District Magistrate would act as the nodal agency in the joint committee, the order read.

The committee will visit the site, ascertain the extent of illegal extraction of sand by the company and extent of violation of EC conditions, besides suggesting punitive and remedial measures.

The NGT has fixed July 31 as the next date of hearing.