NGT rules in favour of applicants regarding ’Sand mining’.

NGT rules in favour of applicants regarding ’Sand mining’.

Mangalore Today News Network

Feb 28, 2017: The National Green Tribunal, South Zone,  delivered a ruling in favour of applicants, Udaya Suvarna and others in the Udupi sand mining case.

Ranjan Shetty, the advocate for applicants told media, the NGT stated that sand mining in the name of sand bar removal cannot be permitted. Most of the guidelines provided in Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) notifications for sand bar removal are not followed. The very identification of sand bar is faulty. Udupi administration has not involved local civil society as mandated by MoEF notification while giving permits. Technical report from Maiya, a retired professor of NITK, is taken instead of directly from NITK which is another violation, the NGT verdict stated.

All permits issued were declared cancelled. The district administration had submitted sand bar identification documents to Prof Maiya (NITK) for technical report before the date fixed for physical sand bar identification (spot inspection). Accoding to the guidelines, sand can be removed from sand bars only if sand bars exist as they cause obstructions to navigation of fishing boats. Seven member committee as per MoEF notification for sand bar removal is also not properly constituted, the verdict declared.  Udupi DC Priyanka Mary Francis said she is not aware of the verdict details. She said she is yet to receive the verdict.

Applicant Uday Suvarna said he is unhappy with the verdict though it has come in his favour. The tribunal should have imposed fine and punished the offenders who caused pollution to the environment in the region, he said.

The NGT had issued a stay order on May 17, 2016 against sand mining activities in CRZ area in the district following a petition by Udaya Suvarna and others. The district is facing acute shortage of sand and the available sand is sold for high price which is not affordable by the common consumer.