Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Sibi Joseph Vs Union of India & Others dated 20/12/2023. The matter related to illegal operation of quarries in the Palakkad district by M/s Royal Sands and Gravels Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Mary Matha Granites.

The NGT, Southern Bench declared the mining operation done by M/s. Mary Matha Granite Pvt. Ltd. after January 15, 2016 till July 7, 2022 (2363 days) on the basis of the old lease as illegal and unauthorized. The court directed that the miner is liable to pay environmental compensation for the quantity of mined articles which has to be assessed by the Kerala Pollution Control Board after ascertaining the illegally and unlawfully mined quantity by the Mining and Geology Department.

The Mining and Geology Department was also directed to ascertain as to whether the miner had complied with the closure plan provided while executing the mining lease of 2010 and if they had not complied with the same, take appropriate action against them for enforcing the mining closure plan and recover the damage, if any, caused on account of the same to the environment from the mining company respondent in accordance with law. The mining company (M/s. Mary Matha Granite Pvt. Ltd.) will continue with the quarry operation only after obtaining prior environmental clearance and all the valid licenses and approvals required from the authorities concerned.

M/s Royal Sands and Gravels Pvt. Ltd. has been directed to strictly follow the general and specific conditions given in the environmental clearance.