News Item Titled "Ri Bhoi Village Troubled by Stone Quarries" Appearing in Meghalaya Dated 05.07.2024 vs

NGT2 Aug 2024Original Application No. 1008/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The Tribunal registered this matter suo motu based on a news report detailing illegal stone quarrying in Ri Bhoi, Meghalaya, causing environmental damage and safety hazards. Respondents were impleaded, and the matter was transferred to the Eastern Zonal Bench, Kolkata.

What did the court decide?

Notice issued to respondents; original application transferred to Eastern Zonal Bench, Kolkata for hearing on 30.09.2024.

News Item Titled "Ri Bhoi Village Troubled by Stone… — Environment and Pollution | NGT (2024)

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Item No. 07

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Court No. 1

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BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI

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Original Application No. 1008/2024

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News item titled "Ri Bhoi village troubled by stone quarries" appearing in Meghalaya dated 05.07.2024

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Date of hearing: 02.08.2024

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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR TYAGI, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON’BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER

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ORDER

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This Original Application is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item titled "Ri Bhoi village troubled by stone quarries" appearing in Meghalaya dated 05.07.2024.

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The matter relates to the stone quarries troubling the Ri Bhoi village. As per the article, Nongthymmai-Garo village in the Umling subdivision of Ri Bhoi district, Meghalaya, is severely affected by illegal stone quarrying. The quarries, which began operating in the 1990s, ceased briefly due to a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order but resumed operations around the COVID-19 pandemic. These quarries are significantly damaging the local environment and posing risks to residents. Villagers report continuous quarry operations, even at night, causing disturbances and safety hazards. Quarry activities include detonator blasts, resulting in structural damage to houses and posing injury risks due to flying debris. Moreover, the quarries have led to the destruction of community forests and drying up of the Chidilma river, a crucial water source for the villagers. The quarry operators often exploit

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local villagers by leasing their land at very low rates, exacerbating the socio-economic issues in the community.

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As per the news item, the primary cause of the issues faced by Nongthymmai-Garo villagers is the illegal stone quarrying conducted without proper permits or adherence to environmental regulations. Extensive deforestation, loss of green cover, and destruction of the Chidilma river have occurred due to the quarrying activities. The forest, which provided sustenance during difficult times, is disappearing. Villagers face severe health issues due to stone dust, noise pollution, and vibrations from detonator blasts. Respiratory problems and sleep disturbances are common. Houses near the quarries suffer from structural damages, including cracked walls and broken roofs, with inadequate or no compensation provided by quarry operators. Villagers lease their land at low prices due to lack of awareness and economic necessity, leading to further impoverishment as they seek employment in the hazardous quarries. Social Disruption: The continuous quarry operations, including on Sundays, disrupt the social and cultural fabric of the community.

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The above news item indicates violation of the provisions of the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

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The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactment.

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Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter suo-motu has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal

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Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897 .

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Hence, we implead the following as respondents in this matter:

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i. Central Pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary Parivesh Bhawan, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi-110032

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ii. Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary

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Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board,

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Shillong, Meghalaya 793014

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iii. Ministry of Environment and Forest, Through its Regional Office Law-U-Sib, Lumbatngen, Near, MTC Workshop, Sawlad, Madanrting, Shillong, Meghalaya 793021

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iv. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Meghalaya Department of Forests, Sylvan Hiuse, Lower Laichumiere, Risa Colony, Shillong-793 001

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v. District Commissioner, Ri Bhoi

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Office of the Deputy Commissioner,

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Ri-Bhoi District, Nongpoh

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Issue notice to the respondents for filing their response before the appropriate bench of the Tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing.

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Since the matter relates to the Eastern Zonal Bench, Kolkata, therefore, OA is transferred to the Eastern Zonal Bench for appropriate further action. Let the original record of this OA be transferred to the Eastern Zonal Bench, Kolkata.

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List before Eastern Zonal Bench at Kolkata on 30.09.2024.

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Prakash Shrivastava, CP Arun Kumar Tyagi, JM Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM

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August 02, 2024 O.A. No. 1008/2024 HB

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News Item Titled "Ri Bhoi Village Troubled by Stone Quarries" Appearing in Meghalaya Dated 05.07.2024 vs

Case brief

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News Item Titled "Ri Bhoi Village Troubled by Stone Quarries" Appearing in Meghalaya Dated 05.07.2024 vs

Case brief

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