NGT bans stone crushers near rivers

Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service
Shimla, November 1

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has quashed the permission granted to stone crushers within 100 metres of the rivers and water bodies in Himachal, declaring it illegal and in violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The NGT, in its order on October 30, has directed the State Pollution Control Board to file a compliance report within two months. The order was given by the Chairman of the NGT, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, and Members SP Wangdi and Dr Nagin Nanda.

“The consent granted by the pollution control board to any stone crusher within 100 metres of a water body stands quashed,” the order read. The court ordered that the board should take steps to stop operation of any such crusher and furnish a detailed report before it within two months.

The NGT order could lead to the closure of a number of crushers. The Industry Department has given permission to 347 crushers of which 121 are lying closed for various reasons and violation of the norms.

“The location of a stone crusher close to a water body is against the principle of sustainable development as well as precautionary principle,” the court observed.

“Though we have yet to start the process of closure, such crushers will be directed to stop operations at the earliest in compliance with the NGT order,” said an Industry Department official.

The issue of damage being caused by stone crushers came under scrutiny of the NGT as a complaint had been filed before it regarding one such stone crusher at Sajaopiplu village in Sarkaghat of Mandi. “It has been noticed that stone crushers are operating without the consent and illegal mining was also taking place,” the court observed.

It is not just the Opposition but even ruling MLAs have expressed concern over the unscientific mining in various parts, especially in Kangra, Solan and Sirmaur districts.

“Despite there being a ban on the use of JCBs for mining, they can be seen at all sites with no check from the department. The 30-feet wide nullahs have been widened to almost 300 feet, as mining is being done on the dried-up riverbeds, which is again a violation of the norms,” BJP legislator from Nurpur Rakesh Pathania had remarked in the Vidhan Sabha.