NGT Directs SEIAA Of Odisha To Revoke Permission For Sand Mining Along Subarnarekha River In Balasore

Bhubaneswar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) of Odisha to revoke its ‘illegal’ order for sand mining on the banks of Subarnarekha river in Balasore district.

Issuing the order on the basis of the report of a committee, said the SEIAA should issue an order for revocation of the environmental clearance granted by it illegally in favour of one Asit Kumar Parida.

“It is also directed that in case sand mining operation is still being carried out in Rayan Ramchandrapur sand quarry, the SEIAAO will take steps to ensure that such sand mining operation is ceased forthwith,” the NGT said in the order.

The tribunal had formed a five-member committee to look into the allegation of illegal sand mining in Rayan Ramchandrapur sand source in an area of 20.38 acres after hearing a petition filed in this regard by environmental activist Abani Kumar Sahoo.

The applicant stated that SEIAA on May 6, 2022 issued a clarification stating that environmental clearance has been granted in ad hoc manner and will be revoked after December 31, 2022. The Consent to Operate was granted by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) on May 10, 2022 was valid upto December 31, 2022 and thereafter, it was renewed on February 14, 2023 upto March 31, 2023 for capacity of 2500 CUM. The Consent to Operate was granted illegally without verifying the validity of the environmental clearance, the applicant said.

Sahoo further alleged that the Balasore Sub-Collector, in his letter to the Additional District Magistrate, Balasore, had clarified that the Rayan Ramchandrapur sand source was situated in the DLC forest and should not be allowed to be operated. It was also stated that the sand source was not recommended in the District Survey Report by the Sub-Divisional Committee.

He also stated that no green belt or plantation was carried out in the mining area as per the approved mining plan which requires plantation of 50 saplings every year and 250 saplings in a five-year lease period.

After hearing the petition, the NGT, Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata had directed a five-member committee to look into the allegations. The committee was asked to visit the site and submit its report within four weeks.