52 mines working in Aravali Hills despite apex court ban

The Rajasthan Government is under the scanner of the Ministry of Environment and Forests for its inability to control illegal mining...

The Rajasthan Government is under the scanner of the Ministry of Environment and Forests for its inability to control illegal mining in the Aravali Hills despite a Supreme Court order to this effect. According to a recent report of the Director of Mines, 52 mines continue to function in the Aravali Hills despite a April 2005 Supreme Court order restraining mining in the area.

The licenses for most of these illegal mines were renewed after the SC banned mining in the area, specifically directing that even the licenses were not to be renewed. The MoEF had sent letters to the Rajasthan Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Forests demanding that appropriate orders be issued to close down the mining operations.

One of the letters, dated September 9, 2007 and signed by Chief Conservator of Forests Central N C Bahuguna, asks why a certain person 8220;has been permitted to mine an area of 8.45 hectare in Tonk district, after December 16, 2002. In view of this fact, it is requested that the work of the said mine be immediately stopped as ordered by the Supreme Court.8221; The letter also demanded that the list of all officers responsible for issuing illegal orders be submitted to the MoEF. However, neither was action taken against the unit nor the names submitted to the ministry.

Government sources said the officials had no justification for not following the order. 8220;Bahuguna was in the city last month and during a meeting with the forest and mine officials demanded a written explanation. But they pleaded guilty. Even the Supreme Court, during the last hearing on October 23, pulled up the state when its counsel tried to convince it that the orders have been complied with,8221; stated a senior officer.

On September 25, the MoEF shot another letter to the Chief Secretary alleging that 8220;the Department of Mines of State of Rajasthan is not following the order of the Supreme Court on one pretext or the other8221;.

Officials of the Forests and Mining Department refused to discuss the matter, claiming it was sub judice. However, sources confirmed that the Government was now finding it difficult to explain why 52 mines continued to function in the Aravali Hills, despite the fact that they have been served more than one notice by the Forest Department as well as the Rajasthan Pollution Control Board.

When contacted, Rajasthan Chief Secretary D C Samant said: 8220;I am not sure which letters from the MoEF you are referring to, but I can assure you that all orders of the SC will be complied with.8221;