Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Alok Malik & Others Vs State of Odisha & Others dated 16/08/2021.

The matter related to illegal sand mining in excess of what is permissible under the Environment Clearance in district Jajpur, Odisha. Further, it was said that the miners were using mechanical excavator for carrying on sand mining even during monsoon which is contrary to Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016 and Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining 2020. The NGT, August 16, 2021 directed the constitution of a committee, which would look into the damage caused to the environment, assess the environmental compensation and the penalty to be imposed against the persons involved in illegal sand mining.

A report has to be submitted within a month. As an interim measure, the District Collector, Jajpur has been directed to ensure that all illegal sand mining activities carried on in violation of the environmental laws are ceased forthwith until further orders.