Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Bidu Bhusan Harichandan & Other Vs District Collector Khurdha & Others dated 04/02/2019 regarding illegal laterite stone mining at 40 different sites in the Khurdha District of Odisha to an extent of about 500 acres encompassing several villages including Tapanga, Anda and JhinkiJhari under Nijigarh Tapang Panchayat. The area involves amongst others cashew jungle, gramya jungle and gochar land. Neither Environmental Clearance nor Consent to Operate have been obtained from the respective authorities.

NGT directs constitution of a Committee comprising of (a) Senior Scientist/Engineer, CPCB; (b) District Magistrate Khurdha; (c) Member Secretary, SEIAA, Odisha and (d) representative of the State Pollution Control Board, who would inspect the area in question and verify on the correctness of the allegations contained in the application. In the event the allegations are found to be correct, the Tribunal directs the Committee to recommend appropriate action in accordance with law to be taken by the concerned authorities against those engaged in the illegal activities. An action taken report should be filed by the Committee within two months.