NEW DELHI, APR 17: The Supreme Court on Friday said the laws in place are strong enough to stop mining mafias, but government officials are delaying action for obvious reasons. The court issued strict orders to stop illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said this issue is not just about following rules but about protecting the environment, which is part of the right to life. The court urged all authorities to act urgently and responsibly to balance development with nature conservation for future generations.
The sanctuary, declared a protected area in 1978, covers 5,400 sq km and is home to endangered species like the gharial crocodile, red-crowned roof turtle, and Ganges river dolphin.
Install high-resolution Wi-Fi-enabled CCTV cameras at known illegal mining routes and vulnerable river stretches.
Set up district-level control rooms to monitor live feeds and coordinate enforcement.
Take immediate legal action if illegal mining is detected.
Charge environmental compensation from violators under the “polluter pays” principle.
Equip checkpoint officers with modern gear, protective clothing, communication tools, and arms.
Train personnel to respond quickly to dangerous situations.
Create a uniform standard operating procedure (SOP) for all three states to handle illegal mining, especially cases with violence or armed resistance.
The court warned that any failure to follow these directions will be taken very seriously. States must submit affidavits by May 11 showing their progress and a clear action plan with timelines.
