NGT seeks clarification on recovery of Rs 79L environment compensation from illegal mining offenders in Doon Assembly
Issues notices to HPPCB member secretary, Nalagarh SDM, Manpura police station SHO and Solan mining officer.
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The notices were issued following a Miscellaneous Application (MA) based on an HPPCB report filed in compliance with a 2024 order. (File Photo)The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to then member secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board (HPPCB), Nalagarh SDM, Manpura police station SHO and Solan mining officer, seeking their clarification on the lack of details about the recovery of Rs 79 lakh environment compensation imposed on over a dozen offenders found involved in illegal mining in the Sirsa river in 2024 under the Doon Assembly constituency in Solan district.
The tribunal bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal (Judicial Member) and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel issued the notices last week, directing the respondents to submit their replies through affidavits at least a week before the next date of hearing on October 10.
The notices were issued following a Miscellaneous Application (MA) based on an HPPCB report filed in compliance with a 2024 order of the NGT in connection with illegal mining activities in Handakundi village under Suner panchayat along the Sirsa river.
The NGT order reads, “On perusal of the report, we find that although illegal mining has been detected in the area concerned and cases have been registered by the Mining Department, no action has been taken with regard to the imposition and recovery of environmental compensation by the HPPCB. Later, in its compliance report, the HPPCB stated that the environmental compensation amounting to Rs 79,00,000 was imposed on the defaulters engaged in illegal mining activities.”
The NGT order further states, “However, the Tribunal observed that while the report mentions the imposition of environmental compensation, it lacks clarity on the steps taken toward its recovery. Significantly, the report reveals that the environmental compensation was imposed by the Station House Officer (SHO), Manpura, and the Mining Officer, Solan. The Tribunal has noted the need for clarification regarding the authority and process behind such imposition.”
Notably, illegal mining activities in the Doon Assembly constituency have hit the headlines several times. Last year, Superintendent of Police (SP) Ilma Afroz sought a transfer from Baddi. Later, her application was accepted. Locals moved a PIL in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, seeking her reinstatement, claiming that after her transfer, there is no check on the illegal mining. However, the PIL was dismissed.
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