The National Green Tribunal’s Western Zone Bench in Pune has disposed of a case regarding illegal river sand mining in Goa, citing ongoing proceedings in the Bombay High Court.
The tribunal took suo motu action based on a news article published on February 13, 2024.
The Goa government reported compliance with the High Court’s orders, including setting up flying squads to monitor and prevent illegal sand mining.
The authorities also stated that they had launched prosecutions against those involved in illegal extraction.
The Bombay High Court had directed the state to restore or replenish areas affected by illegal sand mining, recover expenses from those involved, and launch prosecutions under relevant laws.
Considering the ongoing contempt proceedings in the High Court, the Bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Expert Member Dr. Vijay Kulkarni deemed it inappropriate to proceed further and disposed of the application.