Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Sachin Tyagi & Others Vs Ritesh Sharma & Others dated 04/01/2024.

The original application is registered on the basis of the letter petition sent by the villagers of village Hathwala, district Panipat, Haryana with the grievance that some people had started illegal mining of sand from the bed of river Yamuna by using the JCB machines and dumpers. They had stocked the illegally mined sand in front of Gaon Garhi Kewal at Hathwala road. It was alleged that on account of the illegal mining the flow of river Yamuna was diverted towards village Hathwala, as a result of which the standing sugarcane crop was destroyed and the villagers had suffered the loss. Further allegation is that the illegal mining of sand from the river bed is still going on.

As the letter petition raised substantial issue relating to the compliance of environmental laws, the NGT directed the constitution of a joint committee comprising of  the Member Secretary, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), the Chief Secretary, Department of Irrigation, Haryana and District Magistrate, Panipat.

The joint committee will carry out the spot inspection, ascertain the extent of illegal mining done and the persons responsible for the same, the suggested remedial action and file the report atleast one week before the next date of hearing, March 4, 2024 the order said.