Environmental compensation (EC) from Rs 1.64 Crore on Illegal mining contractors
Accused of changing the direction of Yamuna, establishing a sand bridge. RS 1.64 Crore fine on contractors for illegal mining in Sonepat
The National Green Tribunal Panel (NGT) has imposed environmental compensation (EC) from Rs 1.64 Crore on mining contractors because it has changed the direction of Yamuna and has built the sand bridge, blocking the flow of water in the Sonepat district.
Sand mining at 42.5 hectares in the village Nikola of Sonepat
The Lease for mining was given to DSP Associates for sand mining at 42.5 hectares in the village Nikola of Sonepat was given in 2015, while environmental permits were given in 2016.
The state pollution control board Haryana (HSPCB) has provided “approval to build” in 2016, while “Approval to operate” was given on October 24, 2020. It applies until September 30, 2023.
By 2020, an application was filed in NGT against mining contractors for illegal mining.
Department of Irrigation on the command of Sonepet DC
NGT has been, on June 16, 2020, asked Sonepat DC for the action report taken about this problem. Next, he formed a committee.
On January 27, 2021, the committee members visited the mining site and learned that DSP associates had set up a Sand bund in Yamuna which had been destroyed by the Department of Irrigation on the command of Sonepet DC.
In the March 27 report, the inspection team observed that the contractor has violated the conditions of sustainable mining as mentioned in environmental permits that “no flow must be transferred for sand mining purposes” and that “no natural path and” no natural course And “there are no natural courses and” no water resources are blocked due to mining operations “.
Cost of damage caused to the water and environment
“This unit is responsible for paying the cost of damage caused to the water and environment due to the barriers and transfer of the river. Damage is needed to be assessed by institutions that have expertise in the field of water environment, and flora and fauna studies,” said the inspection team in its report.
This adds that Illegal mining activities “will not be permitted to continue unless compensation is stored by the unit” and it will comply with “all the requirements set in the Environmental Permit, Mining Rental, and Approval to operate”.
The next hearing date in this case on May 11.
