Bhopal, Aug 7 (IANS) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh government and other authorities and ordered a joint inquiry into allegations of large‑scale illegal and mechanised sand mining in the Sindh river in Bhind and Datia districts.
The order was passed by the Central Zone Bench of the NGT while hearing a petition filed by senior Congress leader and former MLA from Bhind’s Lahar Assembly constituency, Govind Singh.
Observing that the petition raised a serious environmental issue, the tribunal directed the respondents to submit their replies within six weeks through the e‑filing portal.
“A substantial issue of environment has been raised. Issue notice to the respondents, returnable within four weeks,” the NGT said in its order.
The tribunal also constituted a joint committee comprising representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Madhya Pradesh Environment Department and the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) to examine the allegations.
“The Committee is directed to visit the place and submit the factual and action taken report within six weeks. The State PCB will be the nodal agency for coordination and logistic support,” the tribunal said.
According to the petition, illegal in‑stream sand mining is being carried out across 18 villages in Bhind district and six villages in Datia district. Singh alleged that heavy earth‑moving machinery and boats equipped with suction dredging equipment were being used in the live river channel in violation of environmental norms.
He also claimed that the extracted sand was being transported to destinations in Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, in many cases without valid transit permits.
The petition further alleged that the mining operations were being carried out without a valid District Survey Report (DSR) or environmental clearance.
Singh contended that the authorities had failed to implement safeguards and monitoring mechanisms laid down by the NGT in earlier cases relating to illegal sand mining in the state.
He further alleged that the illegal mining was damaging the ecology of the Sindh river, affecting its natural flow and posing a threat to crocodiles, gharials, Indian flap shell turtles and migratory birds inhabiting the river ecosystem.
The tribunal has listed the matter for further hearing on October 7 after the joint committee submits its report and the respondents file their replies.
–IANS
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