Order of the National Green Tribunal (Central Zone Bench) in the matter of Prabhat Mohan Pandey Vs Union of India & Others dated 20/03/2024.

Issue raised in the application is violation of Madhya Pradesh Sand (Mining, Transportation, Storage and Trading) Rule, 2019 by auctioning the sand mining leases in District Harda in the submerged area throughout the year, which is alleged to be practically impossible to excavate the sand from any of these lease areas. There was no identification and location of the sand mines and no district survey report (DSR) was prepared to assess the environmental impact.

The NGT directed notice to be issued to the respondents which included the Union of India through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Madhya Pradesh State Environment Impact Assessment Authority; Mineral Resource Department; Director of Geology and Mines among others. All the respondents have to submit their reply/counter affidavit before the next date of listing, July 9, 2024. The tribunal also asked for a report on the matter from a two member joint committee. The committee was asked to submit the factual and action taken report within six weeks.