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Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding sand mining in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, 08/05/2023

  • 08/05/2023

Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Jahangir Vs State of Haryana dated 08/05/2023. Grievance in the application is against unscientific and illegal mining by M/s Star Mines, Saharanpur, obstructing the flow of Yamuna river. It was stated that fifteen Pokland machines are working day and night causing damage to the environment, including air pollution. Though lease was for mining of the
area in Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh, the lessee has been undertaking illegal mining in village Belgarh in Haryana also.

Replenishment study of District Saharanpur was conducted, in the year 2022 as per provisions of Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining 2020. M/s Star Mines, Yamuna river, village Bartha Korsi, tehsil Behat, district Saharanpur, was permitted mining up to a depth of 3 meters for annual production of 756000 cubic meters.

The joint committee report to the NGT, April 7, 2023 said that "as per replenishment study, quantity for mining could be 700626 m3 with 1.95 meter height and expected life of mine could be
1.35 years". In fact, mining has already been done up to a depth of 3 meters for annual production of 756000 cubic meters and maximum period of 1.35 years is over. Thus, no further mining can be done
without fresh appraisal as per law, the report informed the court.

The NGT, May 8, 2023 prohibited further mining, without fresh appraisal as per law. Thus, further mining has to be discontinued said the NGT order passed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice Sudhir Agarwal. The NGT said that measures need to be adopted for monitoring the vehicles and the mining.