Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of a news item appearing in Amar Ujala, dated 02.03.2024.

The news item appearing in Amar Ujala, March 2, 2024 related to the alleged illegal mining which is taking place near the Aung police station area in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh. The news item refers to a viral video showing that the trees, plants and hills are being destroyed on account of illegal mining. It also discloses that the illegal mining is affecting the environment and on account of such illegal mining the agricultural land is shrinking. It also discloses that a big area of the forest department is in Ashapur - Abhaypur village and by illegal mining the forest area is also being destroyed. The complaint is about mining upto the depth of 25-30 feet by one local leader of Abhaypur.

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

The NGT, May 8, 2024 directed notice to be issued to the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board; Central Pollution Control Board; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Regional Office, Lucknow and District Magistrate, Fatehpur. All the respondents have been directed to file their response at least one week before the next date of hearing, August 21, 2024.