New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Jajpur District Collector, SEIAA Odisha and State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to jointly conduct an inspection at Brahmani river and take action against
the persons involved in illegal sand mining.
A bench comprising Judicial Members SP Wangadi and K Ramakrishnan and Expert Member Dr Nagin Nanda has also directed the authorities concerned to submit a report before the next date of hearing in the tribunal. The bench has listed the matter for hearing, March 12.
Earlier, a petition was filed with the NGT alleging illegal sand mining in River Brahmani by miner Jayant Kumar Jena, who has been allotted the area for mining, in violation of the provisions of the approved mining plan, conditions of the Environment Clearance and Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.
The counsel for petitioner Shankar Prasad Pani submitted to the tribunal that there was rampant use of excavators while permission has been granted only for manual mining. There is excess mining and also beyond the designated area. Depth of the sand mining has exceeded the permissible limits of three metres resulting in depletion of groundwater level in the riparian villages.
“Upon consideration of the facts and circumstances, we are satisfied that substantial question of environment arises for our determination,” the bench observed.
The bench further observed that if the allegations made by the petitioner are found to be true, the authorities concerned shall take action against the violators in accordance with law and also submit an action-taken report.
PNN