The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary to form a permanent committee of senior officials to monitor sensitive areas in Chennai where illegal sand mining is happening and act against such violators.
The direction came in a case related to allegations of illegal beach sand mining at the mouth of the Cooum near the Napier Bridge and in the coastal eco-sensitive zones CRZ-1 A and 1 B, where sand mining is prohibited under the CRZ Notifications, 2011 and 2019.
The Bench found from the reports submitted by the authorities that no permission was granted for mining in that area and the Water Resources Department was taking steps to channelise the mouth of the Coocum river that joins the Bay of Bengal to avoid flooding. On the other hand, the joint committee formed by the NGT submitted that even for dredging in CRZ-1 A and 1 B areas, clearance had to be obtained from the Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA).
“It is very difficult for the Tribunal also to monitor each and every allegation of illegal sand mining in the areas where such activities are reported to be taking place. It is for the regulators to take appropriate measures to check such activities and bring those who are committing such illegal activities before law. There must be a regular mechanism and regular committee to be appointed for this purpose,” the Bench said.
It directed the Chief Secretary to form a permanent committee, consisting of the Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Forests and Climate Change; the Director, Geology and Mining Department; the Member-Secretary of the Coastal Zone Management Authority; the Chennai Collector; and the Commissioner of Police or his nominee not below the rank of Joint Commissioner.
Further, the Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has been directed to issue instructions on the requirement of clearance for dredging in the eco-sensitive zones of CRZ-1 A and 1 B from the CZMA.
The NGT also directed the police to undertake regular patrolling in such areas; if any heavy vehicles were brought to the eco-sensitive zones, they should take action for carrying out illegal activities and confiscate the vehicles. The Chennai Collector, in consultation with the police, was directed to install CCTVs in such hotspots, monitor them and take action against violators.
