In a stern rebuff to administrative inaction, the Supreme Court of India on Friday issued a comprehensive set of directives to curb rampant illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary. The Court observed that while the law is “well-armed” to deal with mining mafias, authorities have been “dragging their feet” for reasons that are “not difficult to discern.”
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta emphasized that the issue goes beyond mere regulatory compliance, striking at the heart of environmental governance and the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The National Chambal Sanctuary, a 5,400-sq km tri-state protected area across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, is a critical habitat for endangered species, including the gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle, and the Ganges river dolphin.
To tackle the organized nature of the mining mafia, the apex court ordered the three states to deploy modern surveillance technology. Key directives include:
- CCTV Surveillance: Installation of high-resolution, Wi-Fi-enabled CCTV cameras on elevated masts at all frequent mining routes and vulnerable river stretches.
- Centralized Monitoring: States must assess the feasibility of establishing dedicated control rooms in every district adjoining the sanctuary to monitor live feeds and analyze surveillance data.
- Inter-State Coordination: The states are required to formulate a uniform Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to handle incidents of illegal mining, particularly those involving armed resistance or cross-border ramifications.
The Court directed that the positioning of these cameras must be decided in consultation with the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to ensure minimal ecological disturbance.
Acknowledging the “potentially dangerous” nature of confronting mining syndicates, the bench ordered that personnel at checkpoints be equipped with modern gear. This includes protective equipment, advanced communication devices, surveillance aids, and necessary arms.
“It is incumbent upon all concerned authorities to act with a sense of responsibility, urgency, and commitment,” the bench stated, noting that the protection of the environment is an “integral facet” of the constitutional right to life.
The Supreme Court also invoked the “polluter pays” principle, directing State Pollution Control Boards to initiate time-bound proceedings for the assessment and recovery of environmental compensation from violators. The bench insisted that this exercise be conducted in a “scientific, transparent, and objective manner” to serve both compensatory and deterrent purposes.
The authorities have been given until May 11 to file detailed reports and affidavits indicating progress in compliance with these directions. The Court warned that any “dereliction of duty, negligence, or inaction” would be viewed with “utmost seriousness.”
