The Supreme Court issued directions to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to curb illegal sand mining around the National Chambal Sanctuary, stressing protection of ecologically sensitive habitats and endangered wildlife while addressing socio-economic causes behind rampant mining activities in the Chambal region.
The Supreme Court issued a series of significant directions to the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to curb rampant illegal sand mining in and around the National Chambal Sanctuary, while also emphasising the need to address the socio-economic factors driving such activities.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta passed the directions in a suo motu case concerning unchecked illegal mining operations in the Chambal region, which is known for its ecologically sensitive riverine habitat and endangered wildlife species, including gharials, dolphins and turtles.
Recognising that poverty and lack of livelihood opportunities often push local residents towards illegal mining activities, the Court directed the three States to create sustainable economic alternatives for people living in vulnerable regions surrounding the sanctuary.
The Court directed,
“The States shall also explore involving local communities in conservation, afforestation, eco-tourism, eco-restoration and surveillance support activities connected with protection of the sanctuary,”
The Bench further ordered the States to assess the feasibility of launching special employment schemes, skill development programmes and livelihood generation initiatives aimed at reducing economic dependence on illegal sand extraction. Existing welfare schemes are also to be strengthened for economically weaker communities residing near mining-prone zones.
Apart from rehabilitation and welfare measures, the Court stressed the urgent need to strengthen enforcement mechanisms. It directed the State governments to immediately increase field-level staff in forest departments, particularly by filling vacancies for forest guards and other frontline personnel responsible for surveillance, patrolling and protection of the sanctuary area.
The Court ordered that recruitment processes for such posts be expedited and completed, as far as possible, within one year.
The Bench ordered,
“The Chief Secretaries of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh are directed to file affidavits detailing steps taken for identification of vacancies and initiation of recruitment processes to ensure that critical enforcement posts do not remain vacant,”
In another significant direction, the Court asked the three States to examine the necessity of issuing notifications under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) for protecting forest guards and frontline officers who undertake bona fide actions during anti-illegal mining and wildlife protection operations.
The matter gained further seriousness after the Court was informed about continuing illegal mining activities despite earlier judicial orders. During the hearing, Amicus Curiae Nikhil Goel referred to a media report highlighting ongoing mining operations in the Chambal sanctuary area.
Referring to the contents of the report, the Bench asked the ASG whether he had gone through the article highlighting the alleged continuation of illegal mining activities in the protected sanctuary area.
In response, Raju informed the Court that he had not read the particular report as he usually followed a different newspaper. However, he added that if the allegations mentioned in the article were accurate, the situation would indeed be deeply concerning.
Taking serious note of the development, the Court observed that if illegal mining was still continuing despite official claims to the contrary, it could indicate that incorrect or misleading affidavits had been filed before the Court by government authorities.
The Bench reacted strongly to the disclosure and remarked:
“Mr. Raju, we will give you a copy of this newspaper report and seek a response. If this is true, then your officials have filed false affidavits,”
The Court thereafter proceeded to issue a comprehensive set of directions aimed at tackling illegal mining networks operating in the region.
Among the key measures, the Court ordered the States to establish and operationalise modern surveillance infrastructure, including CCTV systems, integrated monitoring mechanisms, technological control centres and other digital tracking facilities in vulnerable mining areas.
The Bench further directed authorities to undertake stringent and coordinated enforcement action against vehicles and heavy machinery used for illegal mining and transportation of sand.
Authorities were instructed to immediately intercept, seize and initiate confiscation proceedings against vehicles operating without valid registration, displaying fake or tampered number plates or violating provisions of the National Highways Authority of India, the Motor Vehicles Act and related rules.
The Court clarified that criminal prosecution must extend beyond drivers alone and include owners, contractors, financiers, operators and all individuals associated with organised illegal mining syndicates under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and other applicable laws.
The Bench further said,
“The States are further directed to ensure that all FIRs and criminal proceedings relating to illegal mining are comprehensively investigated, including identification of ownership networks and financial beneficiaries,”
The Court also directed authorities to maintain detailed digital records concerning seizure operations, confiscation proceedings, ownership details, prior violations and criminal antecedents linked to illegal mining cases.
In a major technological intervention, the Court ordered the NHAI to install high-resolution night-vision CCTV cameras on high-mast structures located on the bridge situated on National Highway-44 near the Morena–Dholpur border.
The Bench said,
“The CCTV coverage shall extend up to 1 kilometre upstream and 500 metres downstream of the bridge,”
The Court further directed that CCTV access should be made available to police departments, forest authorities and other enforcement agencies to ensure real-time monitoring and coordinated action.
Additionally, the Court ordered the NHAI, district administrations and State authorities to immediately prevent dumping of debris, waste and other materials into the Chambal River from bridges and adjoining infrastructure.
The Bench also directed the Chief Secretaries of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to periodically review compliance with the Court’s directions and submit status reports regarding surveillance, enforcement and recruitment measures.
The Court said,
“The Chief Secretaries of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh are directed to review compliance with the Court’s directions at least once every two months and file status reports before the Court on progress in surveillance, enforcement, and recruitment measures,”
The matter is now scheduled to be heard again on July 22.
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