Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Sukanti Pradhan & Others Vs District Collector, Dhenkanal & Others dated 13/01/2021.

Grievance in the application is against illegal mining by Chinmay Kumar Nayak and operation of illegal stone crushers by Kunal Structure (I) Pvt. Ltd. at Jhilli Mouza in Dhenkanal district, Odisha. According to the applicants, mining is far in excess of the permit. In the process of mining, there is felling of trees, illegal blasting and damage to the houses.

In view of the allegations, the NGT directed that the matter should be looked into by a Joint Committee comprising Odisha State Pollution Control Board, District Collector, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The joint Committee would ascertain facts and also consider the viewpoint of the affected parties. Based on facts found, the concerned statutory authority must take appropriate action, following due process of law. The matter has been listed for further consideration by the NGT on May 17, 2021.