Illegal mining in Doon Valley: NGT forms committee for investigation

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the formation of a joint committee to investigate allegations of illegal mining in the Doon Assembly segment. The committee, constituted on September 25, will include the member secretary of the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, the secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board, and the district magistrate of Dehradun, who will serve as the nodal agency.

According to media reports, illegal mining is a major problem in the area where the Sahastradhara and Baldi rivers meet the Song river. The riverbeds have also become home to temporary labor settlements.

The Supreme Court ruled that mining in reserved forests in the Dehradun valley violated the Forest Conservation Act. The Forest Conservation Act only prohibits non-forest activities on forest lands that do not have the approval of the Central Government. 

Illegal mining in Doon Valley

The NGT initiated this action based on a news report published in Dainik Tribune that highlighted the damage caused by illegal mining to road networks and electricity infrastructure in Handakundi village, located in the Suner Panchayat of the Doon assembly segment.

The village, situated along the Sirsa River, has reportedly become a hotspot for illegal mining activities, adversely affecting the daily lives of its residents. Water pipes, electricity poles, and link roads have sustained significant damage due to these operations.

The Doon Valley Notification, issued on February 1, 1989, under the Environment Protection Act of 1986, explicitly prohibits industrial, mining, and developmental activities within the Doon Valley. It mandates obtaining prior approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change before initiating any mining operations, making these mining activities clear violations of the law.

NGT recognizes environmental concerns and violations

The NGT has taken cognizance of the significant environmental concerns and the breach of environmental regulations, specifically the Doon Valley Notification of 1989.

The "Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors." case in 2021 exemplifies the NGT's well-established authority to initiate this suo-moto original application.

The prominent environmental authorities have instructed the joint committee to visit the site and create an action taken report regarding environmental law violations and propose necessary remedial measures. We anticipate that this report will be submitted within eight weeks.

The committee has scheduled the case for further discussion on December 14, 2023, to evaluate the progress made and address any required measures.

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