In a recent directive, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered authorities in Bihar’s West Champaran district to enforce strict compliance with sand mining regulations, particularly within the eco-sensitive Balmiki Tiger Reserve. The order comes after the district magistrate (DM) Dinesh Kumar Rai and superintendent of police (SP) Sushant Kumar Saroj tendered unconditional apologies for previous non-compliance with the tribunal’s directives.
During a hearing focused on illegal sand mining activities that threaten the region’s biodiversity, the NGT emphasized the need for rigorous enforcement of the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines of 2016 and the Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining of 2020. These guidelines are critical in safeguarding the environment against the unchecked extraction of natural resources.
The issue came to a head when, on February 20, the NGT issued bailable warrants against the DM and SP to ensure their presence in court. This extraordinary measure underscored the tribunal’s determination to address environmental violations seriously.
On April 8, in proceedings that were later disclosed on April 23, both officials appeared via video-conferencing and assured the tribunal of their commitment to rectify the oversight. They presented action-taken reports, leading the NGT to dispose of the matter while instructing continuous vigilance to curb illegal mining operations.
