The Meghalaya government has informed the High Court through an affidavit stating that some notifications have been issued pertaining to leases for sand mining and for effective monitoring thereof.
During today’s hearing of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on sand and boulder mining, Advocate General Amit Kumar also informed the High Court about a notification dated April 14, 2022 issued by the State government 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 v. Union of India).
Amicus Curiae S Sen told the High Court that as per the latest affidavit filed by the State government, the monitoring activities of the government have been confined to the Garo Hills area and not all over the State.
Sen also said that 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 High Court however clarified that since the NGT has taken cognizance of the illegal sand mining activities and has issued directions in such regard, the court will steer clear of such matters.
“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 High Court said while also listing the next hearing of the matter on May 24.
