The Supreme Court of India on Friday expressed grave concern over rampant illegal riverbed sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, characterizing the situation as an “environmental crisis” that has wreaked “havoc” on the region’s delicate ecosystem. Warning that the illicit activities pose a “grave risk” to the gharial preservation project, the apex court slammed the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh for their “utter failure” to protect the tri-state sanctuary.
In a significant move to bolster enforcement, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta directed the three state governments to immediately install high-resolution, Wi-Fi-enabled CCTV cameras along all routes frequently used for illegal sand mining.
To ensure accountability, the court mandated that the live feeds from these surveillance cameras be placed under the direct “operational oversight” of the Superintendent of Police (SP) or Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of the concerned districts, alongside the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO).
“It can’t be gainsaid that the issues involved are of great concern in as much as the rampant illegal mining activities in the river bed have created an environmental crisis and havoc in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary,” Justice Mehta observed while pronouncing the order.
The court emphasized that the states, as proponents of the gharial preservation project, are under a legal obligation to foster and promote the sanctuary. The bench issued the following directives to the authorities:
- Immediate Action: Prompt legal proceedings must be initiated the moment any instance of illegal mining or allied activity is detected.
- Asset Seizure: Authorities must ensure the seizure of all vehicles and machinery found involved in illegal sand mining operations.
- Criminal Prosecution: The states are directed to initiate the prosecution of all individuals involved in these illicit activities.
The National Chambal Sanctuary is a 5,400-sq km protected area co-administered by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Established in 1978, it serves as a critical eco-reserve for several endangered species, including:
- The Gharial (critically endangered)
- The Red-crowned roof turtle
- The Ganges river Dolphin (endangered)
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter on March 13, following media reports highlighting the unchecked exploitation of the Chambal river banks. The court has scheduled the next hearing for May 11 to review the progress of the implementation of its directions.
