Home / Environment / NGT Shuts Mine Over Aravali Forest Route
NGT Shuts Mine Over Aravali Forest Route
4 Aug
Summary
- Mine closed for unauthorized road through Aravali Plantation.
- Leaseholder violated multiple environmental clearance conditions.
- Company faced Rs 22.6 lakh environmental compensation.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has mandated the closure of a stone mining operation located in the Mahendergarh district of Haryana. This decisive action stems from the finding that the leaseholder utilized an unapproved road, cutting through the Aravali Plantation, without securing the requisite forest clearance.
Furthermore, the tribunal determined that the company had contravened numerous conditions stipulated in its Environmental Clearance (EC). The specific violations included operating without a safety zone, inadequate dust suppression, and excavation extending beyond the designated lease boundaries.
An application led to a joint committee's investigation, which confirmed the unauthorized access road passed through designated Aravali Plantation land. The company's arguments regarding pre-existing roads were dismissed, with the tribunal referencing Supreme Court directives emphasizing the protected status of Aravali project lands.
As a consequence of these serious breaches, the NGT ordered the immediate cessation of mining activities. This ruling underscores the importance of environmental regulations and the protection of ecologically sensitive areas like the Aravali hills.
