Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal mining within the eco-sensitive zone of Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, 05/10/2023
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Abhishek Pandey Vs Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change & Others dated 05/10/2023.
The matter related to illegal mining activities in contravention of the Notification dated December 13, 2016 as the leased mining area falls within 1 km from the boundary of the Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary which is an eco-sensitive zone. The applicant also said that mining is being done in the main stream of the river bed, which is not permissible. The submission is that the miner has obstructed the flow of the main stream of the river by constructing a sand bridge thereon.
The court said the maps depict that the mining area falls within the state of Uttar Pradesh. Also, whether the issue of mining area falling within the prohibited zone needs further factual clarification and to ascertain the correct position, the NGT directed for the submission of a report from the Member Secretary, SEIAA, Madhya Pradesh as also the Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), MP and the two wildlife wardens has been ordered to submit their separate report clearly mentioning the distance of the area for which mining lease has been granted from the boundary of the Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary. They will also file a coloured map depicting the mining area, wildlife sanctuary and eco-sensitive zone along with the relevant geo-coordinates.
The report will also clearly indicates whether the sand bridge still exists and whether the sand mining has been done within the main stream of river Son by the miner or any other person, the NGT said. The report will also clearly mention if the lease mining area is falling within the eco-sensitive zone of the Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary.