The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter of illegal mining of sand in Hasdeo River.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item appearing in the daily newspaper dated 28.01.2024.
As per the news item, illegal mining of sand in Hasdev River is rampant and the said illegal mining is causing serious damage to environment and at the same time creating a danger to the very existence of Hasdev River.
The news item further reveals that the illegal mining is going on at Gram Panchayat Chicholi in Janpad Panchayat Kartala in District Korba in the State of Chhattisgarh and inspite of complaint the departmental authorities are not taking any action.
The news item also states that no lease has been granted for mining of sand at Chicholi in Hasdev River but illegally mined sand from that area is transported through the trucks.
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:
i. Member Secretary, Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board, Raipur.
ii. Collector & District Magistrate, Korba.
iii. Regional Officer, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhopal.
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 29.04.2024.