DEHRADUN: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a stern warning to the Dehradun District Magistrate (DM) regarding potential criminal action for non-compliance with its directives, amidst ongoing allegations of illegal mining activities along the Ganga riverbed in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.
During a recent hearing, the NGT criticized the DM for delegating a crucial inspection task to the deputy collector rather than personally overseeing the process and reporting back. This case involves accusations against contractor Akash Jain, who allegedly conducted unauthorized mining operations under the guise of silt removal at various ghats, including Trivenighat and Suryaghat, posing significant risks to the river’s ecological balance.
A joint committee was formed last month, including the Dehradun DM, representatives from the Uttarakhand State Pollution Control Board (UKPCB), and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), tasked with verifying the facts on the ground and presenting a factual report. However, the tribunal took issue with the DM’s decision to alter the committee’s composition, an act the NGT deemed “absolutely illegal, unauthorized, and beyond his authority,” potentially constituting an offence under Section 26 of the NGT Act, 2010.
This section outlines severe penalties for non-adherence to the tribunal’s orders, decisions, or awards, emphasizing the gravity of the DM’s purported oversight.
Further complicating matters, the tribunal noted that Jain had been granted permission to remove sand near Triveni Ghat, a process that falls within the scope of mining operations under the Mines and Minerals (Development And Regulation) Act, requiring an Environmental Clearance (EC)—which was not obtained. The NGT cited a Supreme Court ruling from 2012, highlighting the legal necessity for ECs in mining-related endeavors, showcasing a blatant disregard for legal protocols by local authorities.
In response to these findings, the NGT has expanded the case to include several key figures and agencies, including the DM, the state’s principal secretary for the forest and environment department, the district mining officer, UKPCB, the director of the state’s geology and mines department, and contractor Jain as parties. Notices have been issued to these respondents, demanding a response within two weeks.
Additionally, contractor Jain has been specifically restrained from continuing any mining activities in the specified areas, with a follow-up notice to be served within 10 days via the DM, who is also required to submit a subsequent service report.
