NGT admits afresh plea on quarrying permit to co

Cuttack: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has admitted afresh the issue of grant of quarry permit to Subarnarekha Port Private Ltd (SPPL) for extraction of stone or minor mineral from Mirigini stone quarry in Balasore district’s Nilagiri tehsil.NGT’s east zone bench in Kolkata issued notices to the state environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA), Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) and state govt to file their respective counter affidavits within four weeks.The notices were issued on Sept 9 on a petition filed by Sukant Kumar Nayak, a resident of the area challenging the environment clearance (EC) in favour of SPPL on June 25, 2024.While seeking NGT’s intervention, the petition alleged that the EC has been granted for extraction of stone metal from Mirigini stone quarry-1 over an area of 6.30 acres that is loacted 500 metres away from 324 houses under wards no. 3 and 4 of Nilagiri NAC.The petition also alleged that the proposed quarry is located within 675 metres radius of Kuldhia sanctuary and within one km of Tenda reserve forest where there is elephant movement. Therefore, blasting during quarrying activity will impact the habitation and wildlife, the petition staedd. Advocate Sankar Prasad Pani along with advocate Ashutosh Padhy made submissions on the petitioner’s behalf.Taking note of it, the bench of B Amit Sthalekar (judicial member) and Arun Kumar Verma (expert member) said, the matter “requires consideration” and fixed Nov 20 for hearing on it along with the counter affidavits by the respondents.Earlier, Sukanta Behera of the area filed a petition seeking intervention against the quarry permit accorded to SPPL. The tribunal had constituted a joint committee to look into the allegations.However, on finding that no extraction of stone or minor mineral has started at Mirigini stone quarry, the tribunal disposed of the petition on March 4, 2024 with a direction to SEIAA to consider the matter with regard to site specifications before granting environmental clearance.

HC issues notices over illegal quarrying in Ambernath

The Bombay High Court has responded to a PIL alleging illegal stone quarrying in Ambernath, affecting the Matheran eco-sensitive zone. Notices were issued to the Maharashtra government and relevant authorities. The court has directed an investigation into the alleged violations and instructed officials to take necessary actions if any breaches are found.

13 stone quarry operators fined Rs 144cr for illegal mining in Kolhapurs village

Thirteen stone quarry operators in Kolhapur have been fined Rs 144 crore for illegal mining in a reserved forest area at Kasarwadi village. The National Green Tribunal ruled in favor of the gram panchayat, citing environmental violations and damage. Authorities are directed to stop the mining and take action against responsible officials.

HC seeks timeframe to fence unused quarries near Yanaimalai

The Madras High Court has instructed the Madurai district administration to provide a timeline for fencing unused quarries near Yanaimalai hillock. This comes after a proposal seeking 30 lakh for the project due to multiple drowning incidents. The court's order follows a public interest litigation filed by N Abdul Rahman Jalal.

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