SC to hear plea on sand mining in Ken River with Chambal Gharial Sanctuary case

The Supreme Court has ordered the hearing of a plea concerning illegal sand mining in Madhya Pradesh's Ken River, which jeopardizes the Panna Tiger Reserve and Ken Gharial Sanctuary. Bharat Milan Pandey, a resident of Panna, filed the petition, alleging that excavators and pumps are being used for illegal mining without any legal authorization.

Pandey contends that this illicit activity is occurring despite the government not issuing any contracts for sand extraction. He also mentioned facing false cases against him and his family after revealing photographs of the illegal mining activities to local authorities. Pandey requested directions similar to those granted in the Chambal Gharial Sanctuary case.

The matter was taken up for listing on August 18, and a three-judge bench, including Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, is currently handling the Chambal case. In July, the Supreme Court directed the three states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh to issue notifications granting legal protection to forest officers and guards in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.

The court emphasized that these officials' vital role in combating illegal activities is linked to maintaining public order under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. In July, the court had directed the three states to take action against illegal mining, enhance enforcement, and safeguard the Ken River's ecosystem and the endangered gharials inhabiting the sanctuary.

Pandey's plea highlighted that the Ken River serves as the primary source of sustenance for the flora and fauna of the Panna Tiger Reserve and the Ken Gharial Sanctuary. The plea emphasized that the illegal mining is causing significant environmental disruption through severe river erosion, which is threatening aquatic species.