Gauhati High Court (HC) asks Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) to prevent illegal mining in river bank

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has directed Assam's Forest Department to keep constant vigil against any illegal mining in the river bank of Dakshin Krishnapur in the Cachar district and specifically asked the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) of the State to call for periodical reports from the Range Forest Officer concerned in order to monitor and prevent illegal mining in the area.

These directives were issued by the court while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by one Rabul Hussain Barbhuiya, a resident of the Dakshin Krishnapur area. The petitioner had submitted before the court that illegal mining of sand was taking place in the area in question and requested the court to issue a directive to the Deputy Commissioner and Divisional Forest officer of the Cachar district to stop illegal sand mining in the river.

The court, however, disposed of the petition while taking into account submissions made by the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, who stated that excavation was not permitted beyond the demarcated area and that appropriate actions have been taken by the Divisional Forest Officer of Cachar against any illegal mining.

The Deputy Commissioner stated in his affidavit: "… The Divisional Forest Officer, Cachar has directed the Range Office, Monierkhal Range, Sonai to take strict action against any illegalities. Further, the Range Officer, Protection Squad Range, Silchar was also directed to keep a strict vigil at the Sonabarighat Dakshin Krishnapur Minor Mineral Unit-I (Clay) mining area against illegal digging and selling of soil and sand of the river bank at Dakshin Krishnapur near bypass bridge. No illegal sand mining could be found to be carried out in the river bank. All mining activities in the Sonabarighat Dakshin Krishnapur Minor Mineral Unit-I (Clay) mining area are carried out as per the guidelines of State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the approved mining plan. Presently, the minor mineral unit is settled with Sri Babul Haque Laskar for the period of 17.12.2020 to 17.12.2022. The mining area can be seen from the GPS coordinates plotted in the Google map. The Range Office shall maintain strict vigil to ensure that there is no illegal mining."

The court consequently observed that "in light of the aforesaid, the grievance ventilated by the petitioner stand redressed."

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