SC calls sand mining mafia the ‘modern dacoits of Chambal’, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court described sand mining mafia as the “modern dacoits of Chambal” due to their superior firepower and impunity.
• The court's observation came during a case regarding illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.
• An amicus curiae reported that approximately 1,000 trucks of sand are mined daily from the region.
• The Supreme Court stayed a Rajasthan notification from March 9 that altered the boundaries of the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.

Detailed Insights:

• The Madhya Pradesh government admitted that sand miners in the Chambal river possess better weapons than the police.
• The court criticized the state government's inability to protect natural resources, highlighting the severity of the illegal mining issue.
• The National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary's fragile lotic ecosystem is being devastated by the sand mining activities.
• The court noted the number of officials killed by the mining mafia and suggested using preventive detention laws.
• The Rajasthan notification altered the sanctuary's boundaries, freeing 732 hectares of land from restrictions, which the court stayed due to legal irregularities.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Amicus Curiae: An impartial advisor to a court of law in a particular case.
• Preventive Detention: Detention aimed at preventing a person from committing future crimes.
• Lotic Ecosystem: An ecosystem of flowing waters, such as rivers and streams.