Illegal sand mining: NGT asks CPCB to prepare pan India guidelines 

NGT directs CPCB to create nationwide guidelines for silica sand mining, addressing health hazards and illegal activities.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday (November 29, 2024) directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to prepare a detailed pan India guidelines within three months for silica sand mining and silica washing plants.

The green court gave the direction in a judgment on illegal sand mining and also endangering people’s health to various diseases like Silicosis etc. in Uttar Pradesh.

“State of UP and UPPCB in consultation and coordination with the concerned departments of State shall take immediate steps to provide specialised health care facilities in the areas where silica sand mines are being operated by mining lease holders. Necessary medical infrastructure for prevention and treatment of affected workers shall be arranged without any further delay,” the principal bench of the NGT comprising of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Sushir Agarwal, and expert member A. Senthil Vel said in a judgment dated November 29.

The court said that extraction of silica sand from silica sand mines may cause health hazards to the workers since they may suffer lungs related diseases and silicosis which are very serious in nature and, therefore, deserve immediate socio-medical welfare activities in the area concerned.

Pulling up the authorities, the court said, “Before parting, we find it appropriate to mention that for operation of silica sand mines, lot of irregularities have been found in various ways and even the attitude and performance of the concerned authorities including Statutory Regulators, does not fulfil the requirement of law.”

Similarly, in respect of the washing plants of silica sand, regular records are not maintained and Statutory Regulators also do not pay much heed in respect of compliance or requirement of law, the court observed.

The green court also imposed penalties on various private companies engaged in mining related activities. “Such illegal sand mining take place across the country and put the health of workers also in danger. The court has now directed the CPCB to come up with nationwide guidelines to solve this problem and we hope that it will make a difference,” said advocate Rohit Kumar Tuteja, who was the advocate for the petitioner in the case.