Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of All India Kaimur People’s Front Vs Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change & Others dated 13/07/2022.

Grievance in the application is against illegal mining in villages Bhagwa, Agorikhas, Khewandha and Rediaya, tehsil Obra, and villages Korgi, tehsil Dudhi, district Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh. According to the applicant, Poclain machines are used for mining and Requisite District Survey Report (DSR) has not been prepared nor Environmental Clearance (EC) granted as required under the Sand Mining Guidelines, 2020 read with the EIA Notification, 2006. It was further stated that the area where mining was being undertaken was within the periphery of 1 km of forest area and also within the periphery of Son river.

The NGT, expressed its dissatisfaction with the report filed by the  Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and pointed out that the report is incomplete as "it does not mention the status of preparation of District Survey Report, EIA/EMP, replenishment study and grant of EC in favour of the Project Proponents."Further, even for violations found and recommendations made, no action has been reported. Accordingly, the state PCB was directed to file further action taken report within one month.