August 14th 2024.
In a recent development, the National Green Tribunal has made a significant decision regarding the mining of minor minerals in Mayurbhanj district. According to official sources, the Eastern Zone Bench of NGT, comprising of judicial member B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Arun Kumar Verma, has ordered a stay on the mining activities in the district. This decision was made on August 8, after hearing a plea filed by environmentalist Bibekananda Pattnaik.
The plea highlighted the fact that a notification was issued by the authorities on June 20, this year, for the auction of Belonapura, Madhunanda, and Demphouda in Budhabalang Sandbed-I, under Betanati tehsil in Mayurbhanj district. However, the petitioner pointed out that the notification mentioned the mining quarry to be below 5 hectares, while the interim District Survey Report stated it to be 5.01 hectares. This discrepancy was brought to the notice of the environment watchdog.
After considering the complaint, the NGT asked the Mayurbhanj Collector to submit a report within four weeks. The district Collector later submitted a revised District Survey Report. However, the State-Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority did not approve it. The petitioner argued that a proper District Survey Report is essential for the auction of minor mineral quarries and the June 20, 2024 notification is in violation of norms.
Taking cognisance of the matter, the NGT has ordered a stay on the mining of minor minerals in the district until further orders. The Eastern Zone Bench has directed that no mining activity should take place under the interim District Survey Report. The environment watchdog is set to hear the issue on October 3, 2024. This decision has come as a relief for the district, which has 203 minor mineral quarries spread across 26 tehsils.
According to sources, out of these 203 quarries, 161 are under the Mines department, comprising of 77 sand, 83 stone, and one morrum. The remaining 42 quarries are entangled in various NGT cases. It is worth noting that the state government has already leased out 70 quarries, out of which 40 are for sand, 29 for stone, and one for morrum. The petitioner was represented by senior lawyer Sankar Prasad Pani during the hearing. This decision by the NGT serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to environmental norms and regulations in our actions.
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