Advertisement

Updated February 27th, 2020 at 17:31 IST

NGT constitutes fresh committee to probe illegal sand mining in Bihar

The National Green Tribunal has constituted a fresh committee to probe the allegations of illegal sand mining in Son river in Bihar by using heavy machines that are damaging the environment.

National Green Tribunal
| Image:self
Advertisement

The National Green Tribunal has constituted a fresh committee to probe the allegations of illegal sand mining in Son river in Bihar by using heavy machines that are damaging the environment.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel passed the order after perusing a report filed by Bihar State Pollution Control Board which said that no sand mining was being carried in Aurangabad and Rohtas districts.

The Patna High Court had noted that sand mining was being carried out which is in contravention to the findings of BSPCB, it said.

"In view of the above, to ascertain the truth on the ground, it is necessary to constitute another Committee which will comprise of CPCB, a Scientist nominated by MoEF and an Expert nominated by the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. The State PCB will render necessary assistance to the Committee," the bench said while posting the matter for hearing on May 22.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance, it said. "The Committee may furnish its report within two months by email".

The bench said: "We are, prime facie, of the view that the report submitted by the PCB is at variance with the observations of the High Court. There are also inherent contradictions in the report."

READ | Submit Detailed Action Plan On Cleaning Drains To Yamuna Monitoring Committee: NGT To DJB

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Bihar native Mohd Imran Khan Kadri alleging illegal sand mining in Son river in Aurangabad and Rohtas districts by using heavy earth moving machines inside the river, damaging the ecology, besides causing air pollution due to the use of heavy trucks.

The BSPCB told the NGT that sand mining was not being carried out at any site as it is rainy season and mining activities are closed in compliance with the tribunal's direction.

"Water was flowing in the river and mining ghats were submerged under water and therefore the river-bed was invisible. The allegation that mining by using heavy earth machine inside the river was being done, could not be observed due to absence of mining activity at present," the report said.

During the proceedings, an advocate seeking to represent an erstwhile lessee argued that the report by the BSPCB is incorrect and misleading and illegal mining is going on in a big way, with the collusion of the authorities. 

READ | NGT Directs Haryana Government To Act On Roadside Eateries In Murthal

READ | Delhi: NGT Orders Jal Board To File Detailed Action Plan To Prevent Drain Pollution

Advertisement

Published February 27th, 2020 at 17:31 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Roster implementation for pilots
a few seconds ago
Shahjahan Sheikh in CBI Custody: First Visual Emerges | WATCH
a minute ago
Lok Sabha Polls: Nakul Nath Declares Assets Worth Rs 700 Crore
7 minutes ago
CM Punk and Vince McMahon
9 minutes ago
biotcoin
13 minutes ago
BCAS started the continuous exercise of monitoring the time of arrival of baggage at belts of six major airports in January 2024.
17 minutes ago
Government Approves Major Bureaucratic Rejig with Key Appointments | LIVE
19 minutes ago
Sam Bankman-Fried
20 minutes ago
LSEG
22 minutes ago
File Photo of PM Narendra Modi
30 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo