The Supreme Court of India has taken a strong stance against illegal sand mining, emphasizing its ecological and economic impact. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the court’s recent directive and related developments.
Supreme Court’s Directive
The court has instructed authorities to intensify checks on illegal sand mining activities. Five states—Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh—are required to submit detailed reports on sand mining operations during the next hearing, scheduled for January 2025.
Bench Observations
- Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna highlighted the urgency of controlling illegal sand mining.
- The court recognized the significant ecological damage and land degradation caused by such activities.
Petition Overview
The case was filed by M. Alagarsamy and is being handled by advocate Prashant Bhushan. Key points of the petition include:
- A demand for a CBI probe into illegal sand mining in beach and river areas.
- Allegations of violations against the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines (2016).
- Claims of unscientific mining leading to ecological and topographical harm.
- Reports of armed miners running organized rackets, resulting in massive public revenue losses.
State-Wise Insights
Tamil Nadu
- CCTV cameras have been installed at sand mining sites to monitor activities.
- Advocate Prashant Bhushan has demanded records of FIRs related to sand mining in the state.
- Media reports suggest one crore metric tonnes of illegal beach sand mining in districts like Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Kanyakumari.
Andhra Pradesh
- River basins such as Godavari, Krishna, and Penna have been heavily affected by unregulated mining.
Background Issues
- Inadequate enforcement of the 2010 Guidelines for sustainable mining practices.
- Widespread concerns about:
- Ecological imbalances.
- Disturbance of water tables.
- Changes in land use patterns.
Additional Developments
The Upalokayukta has raised alarms about rampant laterite quarrying in Mangaluru, highlighting a broader issue of resource mismanagement across regions.
Upcoming Hearing
The Supreme Court will revisit the matter during the week starting January 27, 2025. All five states must present detailed facts and figures about their sand mining activities, along with measures to curb illegal practices.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For official updates, refer to court records and government notifications.
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