NGT imposes Rs 9 cr fine for illegal mining

The NGT (National Green Tribunal) has imposed a fine of Rs 9 crore on a leaseholder Rama Shankar in a case of illegal mining in the flood plain on the banks of Kosi

The NGT (National Green Tribunal) has imposed a fine of Rs 9 crore on a leaseholder Rama Shankar in a case of illegal mining in the flood plain on the banks of Kosi River in Rampur following a complaint from a local resident.

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The environment watchdog is also investigating a similar complaint against the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University of Samajwadi Party lawmaker from Rampur Mohd Azam Khan and is expected to give its findings soon.

In the instant order, the leaseholder who was carrying out illegal mining on three land parcels near the river-bed has been given 15 days to deposit the fine by the NGT which has forwarded a copy of the order to Rampur district magistrate Anjaney Kumar Singh to ensure its compliance. “I am yet to receive the order but it would be implemented in letter and spirit said the DM.

All three land parcels were allotted on a lease to the same person. A complaint with the district administration about illegal mining in Kosi was lodged in 2017 by one Mustafa Hussain, son of former minister of housing and urban development Nisar Hussain. But the administration did not to take any action in the matter, according to Hussain. Heavy JCB machines including earthmovers and bulldozers were used in the process which resulted in the death of three people, according to the complainant, who then decided to knock on the door of the NGT.

The NGT ordered an investigation on the petition following which a team led by Satya and Dinesh Chandra Jhakwal, scientists of the Ministry of Environment, were sent to Patti Kala and Chauhadda village of Swar tehsil for a spot survey. The team confirmed that illegal mining had indeed taken place at the site. Heavy machine was also found during the investigation and the probe report confirmed the presence of large pits at the site as well as tracks made by the movement of heavy dumpers. Two stone crushers were also found near the river area. The investigation team submitted its report to the NGT court following which justice Raghuvendra Singh Rathore and Satyabhan Singh Garbayal gave the judgment imposing a penalty of Rs 9 crore.