The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal, NGT in the case observed and has directed the District Magistrates of Prayagraj and Kaushambi districts in Uttar Pradesh for taking action against the alleged in the case of illegal mining in the riverbed of Yamuna.
The bench comprising of Chairperson, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, the Judicial Member, Justice Sudhir Agarwal and the Expert Member, Dr. A. Senthil Vel in the case observed and has stated that in the absence of individual violators being party, this court is of the opinion that appropriate course will be to direct the District Magistrates, Prayagraj and Kaushambi for looking into the said matter and for taking action as per law stated in the light of earlier directions of the Tribunal.
In the said case, the Tribunal was hearing the application filed wherein grievances were raised before the court which being against the illegal sand mining in the riverbed and also which being within the stream of Yamuna at Prayagraj and Kaushambi districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Further, it has been stated by the application that mining is being done with the help of heavy machines and using more than, 1000 boats at various locations, which includes Pahuwa, Pratappur, Nevadiya, Amiliya, Masiyari, Fulwa, Bisona, Asrawal, Manpur, Bhampur, Mishrpur, Nagawar, Bhikhana, Bebar, Palpur, Gadispur, Vidyapeeth, Majhiyari, Baswar, Bhilor, Nanda Ka Purva, Saidpur, and others.
The counsel appearing for the applicant submitted before the court that 400 to 500 overloaded trucks per day are going day and night though approval is only for 125 trucks.
It has also been highlighted by the Tribunal that the matter is already been taken up in the case Atul Singh Chauhan vs. Ministry of Environment and Forests & Climate Change & Ors., wherein the court disposed of vide order dated 18.03.2021 in terms of recommendations of the Oversight Committee.
It has also been alleged by the applicant that, in spite of the orders of the Tribunal, the violations
