NGT pulls up authorities over illegal quarrying in Maharashtra | Photo: Representative Image
Mumbai: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed serious concern over the failure of authorities to implement its 2017 order regarding illegal excavation and quarrying activities in Maharashtra. The tribunal was hearing a case filed by environmental NGO Vanashakti & Anr against the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) and others.
During the hearing, a division bench comprising Judicial Member Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Expert Member Dr Vijay Kulkarni criticised the lack of action despite its previous directions. The tribunal noted that the present application was merely an extension of the original case, which was filed in 2017, and the authorities had failed to take any concrete steps in executing its earlier order.
The tribunal in 2017, directed the authorities to not to allow any quarrying activity in the villages designated or identified as ‘reserve forest, protected forest, private forest, forest-like area, Forest land and Shrub Forest’ without any clearance as envisaged under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
The advocate appearing on behalf of Vanshakti, who is the applicant in the case, informed the tribunal that the Thane district collector, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and the directorate of geology and mining were responsible for implementing the 2017 order but had not done so. “The only action taken so far was the formation of a new committee to assess excavation activities,” reads the applicant’s say.
The tribunal granted the Thane collector two months to submit a status report but directed that the entire 370.8 hectares of excess quarrying area be considered instead of just 126.03 hectares, as stated in the collector’s earlier findings.
“This tribunal has held that the survey was done and 126.03 hectors area was found to be the area of excess quarry, it is likely that the District Collector would consider the said area of 126.03 hectors only, according to the applicants, total area in excess comes to 370.8 hectors, which finds mention in our order datedJanuary 29, 2025. Therefore, it is prayed by the advocate for the applicants that the District Collector may be directed to take into consideration the entire area of 370.8 hectares for demarcating the land to ascertain the quantity of excavation while submitting the report or reply. We accordingly direct and grant the district collector two months, therefore as prayed,” the order copy reads.
MPCB’s advocate stated that 26 stone crushers had been ordered to shut down but clarified that mining-related actions fall under the district collector’s jurisdiction. The matter is scheduled for June 10, when authorities must present updated reports.
