Haryana's Pollution Board Under Fire for Illegal Mining Failures

Illegal mining activities in Haryana have been deemed destructive to the environment and a violation of citizens' rights to health and dignity. The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) expressed significant dissatisfaction with the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), citing extensive breaches of environmental regulations at stone crushers, screening plants, brick kilns, and mining units along key roads and areas. Despite previous orders, the regional officer failed to implement regular random and surprise inspections, allowing widespread non-compliance.

Critical environmental safeguards such as green belts, water sprinklers, smog guns, and adequate barricading were found to be deficient or absent in many units. The commission noted issues like untreated wastewater discharge and reactive inspections occurring only after show-cause notices were issued. These failures indicate a systemic lapse in monitoring and enforcement, exacerbating air and water pollution in the affected regions.

The HHRC has mandated strict enforcement of all environmental safeguards, requiring unannounced inspections every 30 days and prohibiting the issuance of operational permits without full compliance. Additionally, various government departments, including forests, mines, and police, are directed to submit detailed compliance reports by the next hearing on February 26, ensuring a multi-agency approach to address these pressing environmental concerns.