Mining in Rajaji National Park: NGT seeks Centre's response

The National Green Tribunal has sought the Centre's response on a plea against illegal mining of minor minerals within 10 km zone of Rajaji National Park and Asan Conservation Reserve in Dehradun.
A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi issued notice to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Uttarakhand government, the district magistrate of Dehradun and others while posting the matter for next hearing on October 13.
"Issue notice to the respondents by registered post/acknowledgment due and Dasti as well. Notice made returnable on October 13," the bench said.
The tribunal's order came on a plea filed by Yogesh Kumar Sahni seeking cancellation of the mining lease granted to five persons by the district magistrate of Dehradun for mining of minor minerals like sand, bajri and boulders from Asan riverbed and Rajaji National Park.

According to the petition, "State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) had granted the Environmental Clearance (EC) for mining to private persons which is contrary, illegal and unauthorised and against the order of the apex court."
"Set aside the order dated April 25 passed by additional secretary of Uttarakhand validating mining of minerals up to 5 hectares land without considering the Supreme Court order," the plea said.

The plea, filed through advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey, said that MoEF in its recent guidelines had directed that any activity proposed within 10 km of radial distance of national park or wildlife shall require the recommendation of standing committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) and the approval of Supreme Court.

"However, such recommendation of standing committee of NBWL is missing in case of lease granted to respondent no 4 to 9," the plea said.
Asan Conservation Reserve is one of the reserves in Uttarakhand famous for bird watching.