NGT panel to probe ‘illegal’ stone mining in Dhenkanal

Cuttack: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a high-level five-member committee to probe into allegations of illegal stone mining in Nischinta hill and adjoining reserve forest areas in Dhenkanal district.
NGT’s east zone bench in Kolkata formed the panel on Oct 17 based on a petition filed by Talcher-based United Youth for Sustainable Environment Trust alleging illegal operations by mining mafia who have extracted more than 20,000 tonnes of stones by blasting and using heavy machines.
Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy made submissions on behalf of the petitioner.
Taking note of it, the bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi (judicial member) and Dr Satyagopal Korlapati (expert member) said the allegations raise questions regarding the environment arising out of the implementation of enactments specified in the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
“We also consider it appropriate that a joint committee be constituted to verify the factual position and take appropriate remedial action,” the bench said. It directed the panel to meet within two weeks and visit the site to look into the grievances of the petitioner.
The committee included representatives of the regional officer (Bhubaneswar) of the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, principal chief conservator of forests, director of mines & geology, Odisha State Pollution Control Board, and district magistrates of Dhenkanal and Jajpur.
“Factual and action taken report be submitted at least one week before the next date of hearing (Dec 20),” the bench directed, adding, “The Odisha (State) Pollution Control Board will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance.” The petition alleged that illegal quarries and four stone crusher units are operating in Raigada village under Gondia tehsil, located on the border of Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts, in violation of environmental norms. The petitioner submitted photographs and newspaper clips in support of the allegations.