The Supreme Court recently issued notices to the Union government and the Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments in response to a public interest petition. Filed by Neelambar Baba of Mathura and two others, the petition sought a halt to all illegal stone mining, crushing and blasting activities in the Braj region spread over the three states.

Alleging inaction on the part of the state governments, the petitioners claimed quarrying posed serious threat to the ecology of the region which lies in the Taj Trapezium Zone. The area harbours heritage sites that include sacred ponds and ghats. The illegal commercial exploitation also threatens various endangered species found in and around the Keoladeo National Park and the Sariska Tiger Reserve.