The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to the illegal sand mining in Janjgir Champa District of Chhattisgarh.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item dated 27.02.2024.
The news item discloses that on the joint action by the Mining and Police Departments from different places, 28 Hywa/tractors involved in the illegal transportation of sand and minerals were seized from Janjgir Champa District.
The news item does not disclose any action taken by the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board in respect of levy of environmental compensation upon the violators who have caused damage to the environment by carrying out the illegal sand mining.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental norms.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power 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.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
(1). Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board, Raipur, through its Member Secretary.
(2). Central Pollution Control Board through its Member Secretary.
(3). Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Regional Office (WCZ), Raipur.
(4). Collector and District Magistrate, Janjgir Champa (Chhattisgarh).
Since the matter relates to the Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal , therefore, the Bench transferred the matter to the Central Zonal Bench , for appropriate further action. Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Central Zonal Bench and the matter is listed on 12.07.2024.