National Green Tribunal lashes out at Rajasthan government over illegal mining, seeks data

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has come down heavily on Rajasthan government over the illegal mining of minor minerals in Alwar district and directed it to submit data regarding the same in four weeks.

A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi pulled the state over indiscriminate mining activities in Alwar and asked it to submit the details regarding quantum of damage incurred to the environment besides the estimate of the compensation recoverable from every individual.

"We direct the state of Rajasthan to place before us the data regarding the illegal activities that these persons were indulging in and the quantum of damage incurred by them to the environment. Estimate of the compensation recoverable from every individual, shall also be placed before us. We grant four weeks time for doing the same," the bench said.

The green panel has asked the state government to file its report by May 18, the next day of hearing.

The directions came after the state told the bench that in pursuance to Tribunal's direction dated February 5, the DSP, Alwar took action against the illegal non-forest activity and registered criminal cases against individuals.

During the proceedings, senior advocate Raj Panjwani, appointed as amicus curiae, submitted photographs showing crushers running in the Alwar forest area and illegal mining being carried out just outside the wall of Sariska Tiger Reserve.

On this, the bench asked the applicant to use Google maps to identify the areas and spots where rampant illegal mining activities is being carried out in around the Sariska Tiger Reserve and file the report on next hearing.

Earlier, on February 5, the tribunal has passed several directions including prohibiting mining activity of minor minerals in Alwar district in relation to the sites at Tijara, Tapukada and Kishangarh.

It has also asked the state government to seize all crushers/grinders illegally and unauthorisedly operating in the area.

The tribunal has said that no trucks, JCBs and tractors would be permitted to enter these area except owned by the state government only for the purposes of restoration activity for which the specific permit will be issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Alwar district.