Gujarat High Court Directs State Authorities To Take Measures To Stop 'Illegal Mining' Activities In District Amreli

The Gujarat High Court on Monday (December 8) directed the State authorities to take steps to stop any "illegal mining" claimed to be carried out by private entities in district Amreli, while hearing a plea claiming that mining activities were being carried out despite rejection of environment clearance.

Issuing notice on the petition a division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice DN Ray in its interim order said:

"In the meantime, the respondent authorities are required to take appropriate measures to stop any illegal mining activities carried out by the private respondents herein".

The petitioner's counsel submitted that private respondent no. 4 is holding a piece of land on the premise of lease granted by the District Geologist, Amreil though the environmental clearance has been refused by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (respondent No.1).

It was contended that an order was passed against the private respondent No.4 herein rejecting the environment clearance to the proposed mining Project under the EIA Notification 2006. The order carried a caveat that the state's Mining and Geology Department shall ensure that the entire compensation be levied, if any, for illegal mining in strict compliance of Supreme Court's order dated 2.8.2017 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 114 of 2014 in Common Cause v/s. Union of India & Ors., as outlined by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Office Memorandum dated 30.05.2018.

With regard to other two private respondents (Nos. 5 and 6) the counsel contended that they had applied for obtaining environment clearance from State Environment Impact Assessment Authority in 2017 and 2015 respectively. The clearance was granted for block blacktrap mining in the land leased to them by the State Government in village Bhaxi, Taluka Rajula, District Amereli.

However, on a complaint made by the villagers of the surrounding villages about the illegal mining activities, an order dated 11.12.2024 was passed by the District Geologist restraining the private respondents from carrying out any kind of blasting activity, though mining is permitted without carrying out blast.

However, it was submitted, the respondents are continuing to indulge in mining/blasting activity inspite of categorical orders against them by the competent authority.

It was submitted that the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) is required to take note of these illegal activities being carried out by the private respondents, inasmuch as, it results in serious environment pollution.

The court directed the petitioner to implead the GPCB and issued notice. The court also issued notice to the private respondents directing them to file their response in a week.

The matter is listed on January 12, 2026.

Case title: VIKRAM VIHABHAI SANKHAT & ORS. v/s STATE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY & ORS

R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 16622 of 2025

Counsel for petitioner: Advocate Ronith Joy

Counsel for respondents 1-3: Advocate Hetal Patel

Counsel for respondent 1: Advocate Maulik Nanavati

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