Setback to Punjab Govt, SC refuses to vacate NGT stay on desilting

The Punjab Government has failed to get relief from the Supreme Court on the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) stay on the process of desilting and dredging in all 85 sites across the state. Mining is often carried out on the pretext of desilting and dredging.The Punjab Government had challenged the NGT decision in the Supreme Court. However, the apex court has ruled that the state should approach the tribunal to get the stay vacated. The next date of the NGT hearing is scheduled on May 14.On February 11, the NGT prohibited the desilting exercise at the designated 85 sites. The application seeking this ban was moved by the gram panchayat of Gahlri village of Dorangla block in Gurdaspur district. These sites were identified by the Department of Water Resources last year.The counsel for the Gahlri village panchayat had pleaded that since dredging and desilting work was meant for commercial purposes, hence the mandatory environmental clearances were required. It was also contended that the village was located downstream and if desilting work was carried out, “the lands of the villagers would be adversely affected.” The NGT concurred on this and passed the order to stop mining.The tribunal is a statutory judicial body which focuses on environmental protection and forest conservation.Sources say the order carried immense significance as floods had devastated large tracts of land in the state in late August and early September last year due to illegal mining being done by unscrupulous elements. When contacted, a mining department officer said, “The department would comment after going through the Supreme Court order.”

Setback to Punjab Govt, SC refuses to vacate NGT stay on desilting

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Setback to Punjab Govt, SC refuses to vacate NGT stay on desilting

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

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