Green tribunal bans digging earth for making bricks, roads

The National Green Tribunal has banned digging of earth for making brick and road across the country without obtaining environmental clearance, a statement said.

The tribunal ordered the chief secretaries of all the states to ensure strict adherence to the order.

"We restrain any person, company and authority to carry out any such digging activities of brick earth or ordinary earth against the directives issued by the environment ministry," the order said.

The environment ministry had in June directed that digging of earth for making brick and road from an area of five hectares or more will require environment clearance.

The tribunal said the grievance of the applicant is that in spite of the decision of the Supreme Court followed by the directives issued by the environment ministry, the Uttar Pradesh government has not framed guidelines for the purpose of obtaining green clearance.

Issuing notice, the tribunal further said Uttar Pradesh was allowing indiscriminate digging of earth for making brick and road making.