NGT asks Madhya Pradesh to probe connivance of officials with sand mafia, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• A committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) found the Madhya Pradesh government's task force ineffective in curbing illegal sand mining.
• The committee raised concerns about potential connivance between local officials and illegal mining operators in Madhya Pradesh.
• Lapses identified included selective enforcement against smaller stockpiles, excavation within restricted zones, and absence of check posts.
• The Supreme Court had previously admonished the Madhya Pradesh government in April for its failure to control illegal sand mining.
• The report documented an estimated 6,010 cubic metres of illegal sand stock across 11 locations in Bhind and Datia districts.

Detailed Insights:

• The NGT inquiry was initiated on August 7, following an application alleging extensive, mechanised illegal mining in the Sindh River across 24 villages.
• The committee, comprising representatives from CPCB, MPSEIAA, and MPPCB, investigated illegal mining activities along the Sindh River.
• Specific findings included illegal excavation near a bridge in Rohera village, Datia, which falls within a restricted zone as per the Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining, 2020.
• The committee observed sand-transporting vehicles operating without visible number plates and a lack of established check-posts in the inspected areas of Bhind and Datia.
• The report proposed the formation of a regular surveillance committee involving various government departments and local bodies like Zila Panchayat and Gram Panchayat.
• The Supreme Court had warned of severe measures, including a potential ban on mining and deployment of paramilitary forces, if states failed to address illegal sand mining.

Key Concepts Involved:

• National Green Tribunal (NGT): A statutory body established to handle cases relating to environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources.
• Illegal Sand Mining: The extraction of sand without proper permits or in violation of environmental regulations, leading to ecological degradation.
• Environmental Clearance: A mandatory approval process for certain projects to assess and mitigate their potential environmental impact before commencement.
• State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA): State-level bodies responsible for granting environmental clearances for projects as per the EIA Notification, 2006.