The Tribunal asked governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa to have regular vigil in the coastal areas and arrest illegal sand mining in the area, which falls within the CRZ
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked state governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa to instruct Coastal Police Stations for taking immediate steps to have regular vigil in the coastal areas and arrest illegal sand mining in the area that falls within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area.
Sumaira Abdulali-led Awaaz Foundation had filed an application before the NGT against illegal coastal sand mining. The Tribunal found, prima facie, the existence of sand mafias in coastal areas of Maharashtra. The NGT also ordered Awaaz Foundation to identify and point out those who are dealing with illegal sand mining and the state government to take help from Coastal Police, Home guards, NGOs and locals to stop the illegal activity.
"The photographs placed on record on the other hand prima facie show that there was grazing, heavy activity of sand extraction from the coastal area. It prima facie appears, therefore, that monitoring activity is not effectively carried out, so as to arrest illegal extraction of sand from the coastal zone area. We cannot overlook the fact that there is regular abusive use of sand for construction activities, which are growing manifold," the Tribunal said in its order.
The NGT also asked Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), district collectors and commissioners of all the coastal zones and districts to submit a status report as well as take stern actions against all the sand Mafias as well as those responsible for illegal extraction of sand in the coastal zone.
The next hearing is scheduled for 11 March 2014.
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