Sand mining near Narora: NGT notice to UP

Taking note of the claim of an environment activist that he was being "threatened" after filing case against illegal sand mining in UP's Sambhal district, the National Green Tribunal today sought response from the Uttar Pradesh government on the issue.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notice to the UP Chief Secretary, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority Uttar Pradesh, District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police of Sambhal district.
The matter is now listed for hearing on July 7.
The green panel, on April 8, had issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on the petition by Modi Nagar resident Phirey Ram alleging that illegal mining was being carried out in the close vicinity of the Narora atomic power station and on the banks of Ganga and its floodplains in the area.

The petition had further alleged that "despite notices being issued to the state government by this tribunal, the sand mafias are continuously and consistently carrying on illegal mining at the bank of Ganga, village Ishampur, tehsil Gunnor, district Sambhal and that too without fear of law."
It had further claimed that the villagers have given him photographs which clearly "support the case of the petitioner" and also shows that sand mafias were carrying out illegal activities under the "nose of the administration".
Earlier, the NGT had sought a response from the UP government on the plea which had also sought directions to the state government, state level environment impact assessment authority and the district administration to "stop illegal sand mining completely without obtaining environmental clearance and other required permission".