NGT orders probe into sand mining

New Delhi, February 15

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed a three-member committee to inspect and verify allegations of unregulated sand mining and stone crushing in Charkhi Dadri district.

A bench headed by NGT Chairman Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel has asked the panel, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), to visit the site.

The pollution control board will act as the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. Nominees of the said departments may be made at the earliest. Report received from the Charkhi Dadri Deputy Commissioner (DC) may be forwarded to the SPCB for further coordination and action.

“A copy of this order be sent by email to MoEF, CPCB and SPCB. The applicant is at liberty to furnish a set of papers, including photographs, to the SPCB. The report may be furnished by the committee within one month by email,” the bench said.The NGT, on August 31 last year, had formed a committee of representatives of the SPCB, Mining Department, Forest Department and the Charkhi Dadri DC to furnish a factual and action taken report.

Later, a report was submitted on February 11 by the Charkhi Dadri DC, stating appropriate devices, such as stationary sprinklers, had been installed and the ambient air quality was being maintained.

However, the lawyer for the petitioner in the case produced photographs indicating that machines were being illegally operated for mining activities. — PTI 

Plea on illegal activity

The National Green Tribunal was hearing a plea filed by local resident Vinod Kumar Jangra, seeking directions to check alleged unregulated mining in Charkhi Dadri