National Green Tribunal slams Rajasthan on indiscriminate mining in Alwar

Asks state govt to ban illegal mining of minor minerals

Hitting out at the Rajasthan government for "shutting its eyes" to indiscriminate mining activities in Alwar, the National Green Tribunal has directed it to ban illegal mining of minor minerals in the district and seize all crushers and grinders operating illegally.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar held that indiscriminate mining has adversely affected flora and fauna in Alwar.

"All mining activity of minor minerals in Alwar in relation to the site Tijara, Tapukada and Kishangarh are hereby prohibited. No person shall mechanically or manually carry on any illegal, unauthorised and rampant mining in that area," the bench said while noting that "environment and ecology of that area are threatened with a serious environmental disaster".

It directed the state government to file a comprehensive plan for "restoration, reforestation and reclamation" of the entire area, along with the cost likely to be incurred.

"The records before the tribunal reveal that the illegal, unauthorised and rampant mining going on in the district of Alwar is a matter of serious concern. The extent of illegal mining has adversely affected the ecology and environment of the area and there is definite degradation of the same.

"Indiscriminate and rampant mining has resulted in adversely affecting the tiger life and has also caused serious damage to the health of the people living around those areas because of air pollution," the bench said while posting the matter for further hearing on March 16.