Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday held accountable Rajasthan authorities over illegal sand mining inside the National Chambal Sanctuary, observing that the continued mining activities were posing a serious threat to the aquatic and endangered wildlife, including gharials and freshwater dolphins, as per a report by ANI news agency.A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Vijay Bishnoi directed the Rajasthan Additional Chief Secretary (Home) along with the Principal Secretaries of the Mining, Finance, Forest, Environment and Transport & Road Safety Departments to remain personally present before the court on May 19 with individual affidavits detailing compliance with the court’s earlier order dated April 2.The Supreme Court in it’s April 2 order had directed the governments of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to respond to reports submitted by the Amicus Curiae and the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) regarding illegal mining inside the Chambal sanctuary. The court had also sought affidavits from the states and the Ministry of Environment and Forests on enforcement measures and conservation efforts being undertaken in the ecologically sensitive region.Supreme Court takes note of unregistered vehicles operating unchecked in mining zonesDuring Thursday’s hearing, the court specifically questioned how unregistered mining vehicles and tractors were continuing to operate unchecked in mining zones despite existing laws and enforcement mechanisms.The bench further sought an explanation from Rajasthan’s Transport & Road Safety Department regarding continued violations of the Motor Vehicles Act, action taken against erring officials, and steps adopted to prevent illegal transportation of mined material.The apex court impleaded the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the matter and directed it to file a detailed affidavit on measures taken to protect bridge structures in areas affected by continuous mining activities.The court also asked NHAI to explain why CCTV surveillance systems should not be installed for real-time monitoring of mining and transportation operations in the sanctuary region.The Supreme Court in an earlier hearing, flagged what it described as the “total failure” of authorities, particularly in Rajasthan, to curb illegal sand mining in the Chambal Sanctuary. The bench observed that measures claimed by the states appeared to exist only on paper despite adequate resources being available.The court noted serious lapses in enforcement and indicated that stronger mechanisms, including the possible creation of a special task force, may be required to tackle the organised mining mafia operating in the region.About the National Chambal SanctuaryThe National Chambal Sanctuary stretches across approximately 5,400 square kilometres spanning three states- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Established primarily to protect the critically endangered gharial, the sanctuary is one of the last remaining habitats in India for the freshwater dolphin as well. The Chambal river runs through the sanctuary. Beyond gharials and dolphins, the sanctuary is also home to the red-crowned roof turtle, mugger crocodile. Its ecological significance makes it one of the most protected river valley ecosystems in South Asia — which is precisely why the Supreme Court’s repeated interventions over illegal sand mining have drawn national attention.
