Rajasthan govt apathetic to illegal mining in Chambal, says Supreme Court, Pg4

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court criticized the Rajasthan government for its slow response to illegal mining in the Chambal region.
• The court noted that Rajasthan's measures to check illegal mining will take 18-36 months, which is undesirable.
• The court took suo motu cognisance of illegal mining reports in Chambal in March 2026, involving Rajasthan, MP, UP, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Rajasthan has approved over Rs 65 crore for IT-enabled monitoring systems.

Detailed Insights:

• The court observed that significant measures were initiated by Rajasthan only after stringent directions and the requirement of personal presence of senior officers.
• The Supreme Court highlighted that crucial decisions regarding surveillance, enforcement, and inter-departmental action plans were undertaken only after judicial intervention.
• The court expressed displeasure at Rajasthan's conduct compared to MP and UP, noting the state's failure to file compliance affidavits initially.
• The issues include rampant illegal mining, environmental degradation, and destruction of wildlife habitats within the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Suo Motu Cognisance: The power of a court to take up a matter on its own, without waiting for a formal complaint.
• Compliance Affidavit: A sworn statement submitted to the court to demonstrate adherence to its orders or directives.
• Illegal Mining: Extraction of minerals and resources without legal permission, often causing environmental damage.