'Complete Lawlessness': Uttarakhand High Court Suspends All Mining Activities In Bageshwar District, Apprehends Landslides

The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday (January 6) ordered a complete halt to the mining operations in Bageshwar District with immediate effect.The Division Bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the alleged illegal and unsafe mining activities in the Bageshwar district, which have caused significant environmental and safety concerns, including damage to dwellings and risks of landslides. The Court expressed shock at the report submitted by the Court Commissioners because the evidence presented indicates severe threats to lives and property due to ongoing mining activities. “The report is not merely alarming, but is also shocking. The report and the photographs clearly demonstrate complete lawlessness by the miners, and are proofs of local administration turning a blind eye to the transgression. Further, the report and the photographs, prima facie, demonstrate that further mining operations, which have already dam aged dwelling houses, are likely to result in landslides and definite loss of lives. The ironical part is that trained officers have permitted mining operations at the base of the hillock, when habitations in the revenue villages are found on the top of the hillock. The photographs also indicate huge crevasse indicating impending landslides which would definitely lead to huge loss of lives. Hence, pending further orders, all mining operations in Bageshwar district shall stand suspended with immediate effect.” the Court said. Also, the Amicus Curiae was instructed to identify and implead all leaseholders and relevant government officers as parties to the litigation.Moreover, Senior government officials, including the Director of Geology and Mining, the Secretary of Industrial Development, and the District Magistrate, were ordered to be physically present in court on the next hearing date scheduled on Jan. 9, 2025.Also, the Court directed the Director of Geology and Mining to report compliance with the Court's order on the next date of hearing.Case Title: SAJJAN LAL TAMTA Vs. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND & Ors. Click here to read/download the order

'Complete Lawlessness': Uttarakhand High Court Suspends All Mining Activities In Bageshwar District, Apprehends Landslides

Yash Mittal

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