SHILLONG:
The Full Bench of Meghalaya High Court comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee, Judge W Diengdoh and Judge H S Thangkhiew informed that an affidavit has been filed by the state indicating the issuance of some notifications pertaining to leases for sand mining and for effective monitoring thereof.
Hearing a PIL on Tuesday, the Court stated that the Advocate General drew its attention to a notification dated April 14, 2022 in particular, issued pursuant to the directions of the National Green Tribunal of April 5, 2019 and February 26, 2021 in O.A. No. 360 of 2015 (National Green Tribunal Bar Association . Union of India).
It is submitted by Amicus Curiae that it appears from the latest affidavit filed by the state and otherwise that the monitoring activities of the state have been confined to the Garo Hills area and not all over the state.
“Indeed, there are reports of widespread unregulated and illegal sand mining and extraction of rocks and stones from the riverbeds in several other areas, including places close to Shillong,” the court noted.
The court further stated, “It is clarified that to the extent the NGT has taken cognisance of the illegal sand mining activities and has issued directions in such regard, the court will steer clear of such areas. If there is a matter in such regard pending before the NGT and the NGT is either monitoring the activities or ensuring that appropriate steps are taken to regulate and control sand mining in a sustainable manner, the present proceedings may be closed.”
The matter is listed on May 24, 2022.