New Delhi, March 13: The Supreme Court has recently taken suo motu cognizance of illegal sand mining occurring in the Chambal Sanctuary. This action is primarily aimed at protecting endangered wildlife, including gharials, river dolphins, and rare bird species.
A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta expressed concern based on recent newspaper reports and submissions from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The reports clearly indicate large-scale illegal mining in protected areas, posing a serious threat to the lives of wildlife.
Justice Vikram Nath noted that there are several regions where gharials had been released by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, but these areas are now also affected by illegal mining activities. This mining is forcing gharials to relocate and is severely impacting their natural habitat. Given the seriousness of the situation, the court has directed that appropriate guidelines be presented before the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
The Supreme Court stated that any form of mining and transportation of sand in protected areas is completely prohibited. Despite this, incidents of illegal mining continue to surface. This not only endangers wildlife but can also destabilize the entire ecosystem. Illegal mining in the sanctuary is altering the natural habitats of local wildlife.
The National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary spans approximately 435 kilometers and is considered one of the country’s most sensitive ecological zones. This area is not only home to gharials but also hosts river dolphins, turtles, and several rare bird species. Sand is the foundation of this entire ecosystem. If illegal mining persists, it could directly threaten the existence of these species.
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