Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding illegal operation of Gandanali Black stone quarries, Dhenkanal district, Odisha, 12/09/2022

Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Ghanashyam Rout Vs State of Odisha & Others.

The matter related to illegal operation of Gandanali Black stone quarries being carried on in Gandanaali mouza, tehsil Hindol, Dhenkanal district of Odisha. The petitioner has submitted that the quarry operator does not have a valid Consent to Operate and the quarrying is being with the use of explosives and heavy JCB machines as well as 50 dumpers which are transporting the stones from the quarry site in question. Further, the quarry operator is operating the quarry without environmental clearance. Trees have been illegally felled for construction of approach road in the gramya jungle forest land without prior approval.

The NGT directed the District Collector, Dhenkanal; Divisional Forest Officer, Dhenkanal; Odisha State Pollution Control Board; State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Odisha; Deputy Chief Controller of Explosives and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to file their reply. The matter has been listed for October 10, 2022.