Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Debashis Das Vs West Bengal Pollution Control Board & Others dated 16/04/2021. The matter related to illegal sand mining carried on in the river bed of river Ajay within the blocks, namely Jamuria and Barbabniin the district of Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal.

The court directed the constitution of a Committee to inspect the area in question and submit its report with regard to quantity of sand illegally mined, the degradation caused to the environment and loss of revenue caused to the state exchequer. The Committee shall also examine as to whether any mining lease or Environmental Clearance has been granted to the alleged illegal miners and if it is found that there is no mining lease granted or no Environmental Clearance has been granted to the illegal miners, the Committee shall proceed to take steps for criminal prosecution of the alleged offenders.

The Committee has also been asked to assess the Environmental Compensation on account of illegal sand mining.