Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal stone quarrying activities in Madna mouza, Birbhum district, West Bengal, 16/02/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Serajul Islam & Others Vs The State of West Bengal & Others dated 16/02/2024.
The matter related to illegal stone quarrying activities in Mouza Madna, PS Nalhati, District Birbhum. Committee report on affidavit, February 15, 2024 filed by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board stated that there is evidence of illegal extraction beyond the plots cited in the Original Application and the District Administration should fix responsibility, ascertain the quantum of rock extracted illegally and estimate the amount of revenue loss. Further, while unlawful quarrying activities in the area have left the surroundings derelict to a significant extent, the dereliction caused by the quarrying activities can be mitigated to a significant extent but cannot be reversed through human intervention, as such necessary reclamation may be undertaken at the earliest.
The NGT directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, West Bengal and District Magistrate, Birbhum to take immediate steps to prevent illegal mining and file an affidavit. The court directed that the affidavit be filed before the next date of listing, April 3, 2024.