Remanded

News Item Titled "Narmada Nadee Se Barghi Baandh Tak Nadiyon Se Ret Nikaal Rahe Mafia" Appearing in Db Star Dated 25.04.2025 vs

NGT7 May 2025Original Application No. 222/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The National Green Tribunal registered a suo motu Original Application based on a news report detailing rampant illegal sand mining along the Narmada River near Jabalpur. The Bench identified violations of environmental guidelines and impleaded several respondents, transferring the matter to the Central Zonal Bench at Bhopal for further action.

What did the court decide?

The OA was transferred to the Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal, and respondents were issued notice to file replies.

News Item Titled "Narmada Nadee Se Barghi Baandh Tak… — Mining and Natural Resources | NGT (2025)

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Item No. 03

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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. 222/2025

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News Item titled "नर्मदा नदी से बरघि बााँध तक नददयों से रेट घनकाल रहे र्ाफिया" appearing in DB Star dated 25.04.2025

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Date of hearing: 07.05.2025

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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON HON’BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER HON’BLE DR. AFROZ AHMAD, 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 "नर्मदा नदी से बरघि बााँध तक नददयों से रेट घनकाल रहे र्ाफिया" appearing in DB Star dated 25.04.2025

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The news item relates to rampant illegal sand mining activities along the Narmada River, extending up to the Bargi Dam near Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. As per the article, Mafia groups are using heavy machinery to illegally extract sand directly from the riverbed. This is causing severe ecological disruption and environmental degradation. The article highlights that the areas from Bargi’s Basa Para and Salibada to Gowrighat’s Bhatoli, Jamtara, and Chhiwla have turned into major illegal sand mining hubs. The article emphasizes that these illegal activities continue unchecked despite clear regulations and prohibitions and even on ghats that have been shut for mining years ago including ghats where issuing of mining tenders are also prohibited. Moreover, as per mining rules, stocking of more than four truckloads of sand at a location is strictly prohibited. However, these mafias are seen openly storing much larger quantities, creating unauthorized depots right near the riverbanks

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and in secluded locations. This large-scale hoarding supports continuous illegal transportation via trucks and tractors, often even during hours of official mining bans or restrictions.

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The above matter indicates violation of the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

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The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms.

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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 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 the matter:

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(1). Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Through its Member Secretary, E-5, Arera Colony, Paryavaran Parisar, Bhopal – 462016, Madhya Pradesh.

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(2). Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Through its Member Secretary, Parivesh Bhawan, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi – 110032.

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(3). Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Through its Regional Office, Integrated Regional Office, E-5, Kendriya Paryavaran Bhawan, Link Road No. 3, Ravishankar Nagar, Arera Colony, Bhopal – 462016, Madhya Pradesh.

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(4). District Magistrate (Collector), Jabalpur, Collector Office, Jabalpur – 482001, Madhya Pradesh.

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Issue notice to the above respondents for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit before the Central Zonal Bench of the Tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing. If any respondent directly files the reply without routing it through his advocate, then the said respondent will remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal.

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Since the matter falls within the jurisdiction of Central Zonal Bench of the Tribunal, therefore, the OA is transferred to the Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal for appropriate further action. Let the original record of the OA be transferred to Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal.

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List before Central Zonal Bench at Bhopal on 17.07.2025.

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Prakash Shrivastava, CP

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Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM

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Dr. Afroz Ahmad, EM

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May 07, 2025 Original Application No. 222/2025 dv..

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News Item Titled "Narmada Nadee Se Barghi Baandh Tak Nadiyon Se Ret Nikaal Rahe Mafia" Appearing in Db Star Dated 25.04.2025 vs

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News Item Titled "Narmada Nadee Se Barghi Baandh Tak Nadiyon Se Ret Nikaal Rahe Mafia" Appearing in Db Star Dated 25.04.2025 vs

Case brief

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What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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