Subscribe
Mining around Jaisamand Lake
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on August 26, 2019 directed the Directorate of Rajasthan's Mining and Geology, to pay Rs 5 lakh as environmental compensation for not taking proper action on illegal mining activities surrounding Jaisamand lake and its catchment area.
Petioner Nanga Ram Dangi also also raised the issue.
The application was filed by one Nanga Ram Dangi in 2014. He had also raised the issue with regard to depletion of wells used for irrigation as well as drinking purposes.
After taking into consideration the status of the entire area and the illegal mining in September, 2018, the court granted the Directorate of Mines and Geology three months time to shut down all types of mining activities in the catchment area, and also in the area surrounding Jaisamand Lake.
The application, filed in 2014, was taken up on various dates of hearing because of non-compliance of orders.
The states' Mine Secretary, meanwhile, claimed that there is no illegal mining. However, Dangi in July countered the claims with various documents, including photographs of big mining pits in Awara, Boria, Sulawas, Bambora villages. All these sites are in Makradi river.
The imposed fine has to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board within two weeks, the NGT said.
Mahanoy river construction
The NGT on August 26 considered the appeal of the counsel appearing for Bihar government regarding construction of an administrative building that falls within the prohibited area near Mahanoy river and is liable to be demolished.
“In case of rivers other than the Ganges, no construction or reconstruction of any building shall be allowed, within a strip of land of 100 metres, or such distances as prescribed by the State Government, from the outer boundary of the riverfront of any river,” according to the Bihar Building Bye-Laws 2014 [Rule 22 92)].
The construction falls within the prohibited area of the 100 metres as prescribed in the above provision, the NGT said.
The counsel sought for time from the tribunal and has been granted.