Bhubaneswar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered authorities to initiate criminal proceedings and conduct a detailed investigation into alleged illegal sand mining in the Rushikulya River in Odisha’s Ganjam district, taking serious note of reported violations of mining norms.
The directions were issued by the Eastern Zone Bench of the NGT during a hearing on May 26 in connection with allegations of unauthorised sand extraction from a leased sand bed at Bhimpur under Purushottampur tehsil.
According to records placed before the Tribunal, a mining lease had been granted for sand extraction over an area of 10.425 acres. However, it was alleged that the leaseholder used heavy machinery, including excavators, for mining operations in violation of prescribed regulations governing sand extraction.
The petitioner further alleged that mining activities were carried out across nearly 48 acres of the Rushikulya riverbed—more than four times the permitted area—raising concerns over environmental damage and regulatory non-compliance.
After examining the submissions and relevant records, the Tribunal reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the matter had been handled by the State authorities. Taking a stern view of the alleged violations, it directed the concerned authorities to register a criminal case against the leaseholder.
The NGT also ordered the constitution of a Joint Committee to investigate the allegations and assess the extent of the violations. The panel will comprise the Member Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Member Secretary of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), and the Collector of Ganjam.
The Tribunal has directed that the committee be formed within two weeks and submit its findings within one month of its constitution.
The inquiry is expected to examine whether mining was undertaken beyond the sanctioned area, whether prohibited machinery was deployed, and the environmental impact of the alleged illegal extraction on the river ecosystem.
Illegal sand mining has emerged as a major environmental concern across several states, with experts warning that unregulated extraction can accelerate riverbank erosion, damage aquatic habitats, lower groundwater levels and increase flood vulnerability.
There was no immediate response from the leaseholder to the allegations or the NGT’s directions.
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