Sand mining in Yamuna: NGT issues bailable warrants against 18

Out of 18 persons to whom it notices were issued to appear before court, only one had appeared

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today issued bailable warrants against 18 persons, who were allegedly carrying out illegal sand mining from river Yamuna in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, for not appearing before it despite its orders seeking their presence.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar gave the direction after it was informed out of the 18 persons, to whom it had issued notices to appear before it and explain why they be not punished as well as made to pay compensation for damaging the environment, only a dumper driver appeared.

The bench, while issuing the bailable warrants against the 17 persons who did not appear as well as the employer of the dumper driver, observed "they have violated the August 5 orders of the Tribunal by continuing to do illegal sand mining in Gautam Budh Nagar".

The Tribunal also sought the presence of the 11 persons who have been arrested in connection with theft of 80 per cent of the over two lakh cubic meter of sand seized by the mining department of Gautam Budh Nagar district.

The presence of the 11 persons-owners of earth moving machines, trucks and tractors allegedly used to illegally mine and ferry sand from the river bed of Yamuna-was sought by the bench after it was told by Uttar Pradesh authorities that it has registered four FIRs against them in connection with the theft of seized sand.

The bench fixed November 1 for disposing of all the matters related to sand mining being heard by it.

Meanwhile, Gujarat government today assured the Tribunal that no sand mining activity will be allowed in the state without environment clearance from environment ministry or State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).

The assurance was given in connection with a plea alleging Gujarat government has granted contracts permitting removal of sand upto a depth of 10 meters from river beds as against the three meter or water level depth recommended by the apex court.

The counsel for Gujarat also assured the bench that all such contracts have been terminated by it.

The NGT had on August 5 banned sand mining without clearance in the beds and banks of rivers across the country.