Supreme Court Cracks Down on Illegal Sand Mining in Rajasthan's Chambal Sanctuary

The Supreme Court has issued a stern warning to the Rajasthan government over its handling of illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary. The court has stayed the state's notification that sought to de-notify 732 hectares of the protected area, criticizing what it called facilitation of illegal activities.

Terming the rampant mining issue as a matter of 'serious concern,' Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta pointed out the imminent threat posed to endangered species, including the gharial and Ganges river dolphin. The bench highlighted past occurrences where officials were killed by mining mafias, underscoring the violent undercurrents involved.

The court emphasized the need for Rajasthan to outline an eco-sensitive zone, revealing flaws in the notification process and calling for accountability while transferring related pending matters to the apex court. The next hearing is postponed to May 11, with all involved parties instructed to submit their responses by then.