The Uttarakhand High Court has extended the ban on mining operations in Bageshwar district, citing concerns over illegal mining and environmental degradation.
In an order passed on January 10, 2025, the court directed that the ban on mining operations would remain in place until the next date of hearing, scheduled for February 12, 2025.
The court’s decision came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in 2024, which highlighted the issue of rampant illegal mining in the district.
The PIL alleged that mining operations were being carried out without proper permissions and in violation of environmental regulations, resulting in significant environmental damage and health risks to local residents.
In its order, the court noted that the state government had filed a compliance affidavit, outlining steps taken to address the issue of illegal mining.
The affidavit stated that the government had prepared a future action plan, which included conducting a detailed geological survey of all mines in the district and stopping the consideration of new mining applications until the survey was completed.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari also took note of the action taken report filed by the Superintendent of Police, which detailed the measures taken to prevent illegal mining and transportation of minerals.
The report stated that 55 mines had been visited, and 124 equipment/machines had been seized, indicating the widespread nature of illegal mining in the district.