The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has cracked the whip on sand mining in the Budhabalanga river bed in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, imposing hefty fines totalling over ₹36 crore in three separate cases — among the highest penalties imposed on individuals in a case involving minor minerals, such as sand, in the State.
One Radhamohan Singh of Mayurbhanj district had moved the green court, raising the issue of rampant violation of Environmental Clearances (EC) and Consent to Operate (CTO) for sand mining in the Budhabalanga at the Dingiria, Arpata and Mahupura villages.
While the lessee, Pradip Kumar Bindhani, was accused of carrying out excess mining and causing damage to environment at two places, Krupasindhu Singh, another lessee, was allegedly at fault on a similar count at one place.
