IN RE: ILLEGAL SAND MINING IN THE NATIONAL CHAMBAL SANCTUARY AND THREAT TO ENDANGERED AQUATIC WILDLIFE Vs. IN RE: ILLEGAL SAND MINING IN THE NATIONAL CHAMBAL SANCTUARY AND THREAT TO ENDANGERED AQUATIC WILDLIFE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Court, vide a detailed order dtd. 26/5/2026, upon consideration of the compliance affidavits filed by the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the report of the Central Empowered Committee, the submissions advanced by the learned Amicus Curiae, and the affidavit placed on record by the National Highways Authority of India, undertook an exhaustive examination of the issues concerning rampant illegal sand mining within and around the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary and its devastating impact on the fragile riverine ecosystem. Having found that the persistent ecological degradation of the sanctuary, destruction of critical wildlife habitats, deficiencies in the enforcement machinery, operation of unregistered vehicles facilitating organised illegal mining, and the threat posed to vital public infrastructure warranted immediate judicial intervention, this Court issued a comprehensive set of directions aimed at strengthening surveillance mechanisms, enhancing enforcement measures, and ensuring institutional accountability through coordinated action by all concerned authorities of the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

(2.) By the aforesaid order, this Court, inter alia, directed the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to undertake immediate recruitment of frontline forest personnel; expedite the establishment and operationalisation of CCTV-based surveillance and integrated monitoring systems; initiate stringent enforcement action against vehicles and machinery engaged in illegal mining and transportation activities; ensure effective investigation and prosecution of organised illegal mining networks; and strengthen inter-departmental coordination for the protection and preservation of the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary. This Court also issued consequential directions to the NHAI to install advanced surveillance infrastructure, including high-resolution CCTV cameras, in and around the Morena-Dholpur bridge on National Highway-44 spanning the Chambal River, and to undertake necessary protective and monitoring measures to safeguard the structural integrity of this vital inter-State bridge from the continuing threat posed by illegal excavation and sand mining activities in the vicinity of its foundations and supporting structures.

(3.) Pursuant to the aforesaid order, the concerned authorities have placed on record their respective compliance affidavits and status reports. The NHAI has filed a comprehensive compliance affidavit detailing the measures undertaken in furtherance of the directions issued by this Court. The States of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have each filed affidavits through their respective Chief Secretaries setting out the steps taken towards compliance with the directions issued by this Court. The State of Rajasthan has also filed a separate affidavit on behalf of the Water Resources Department, a reply to the interlocutory application and a status report. The States of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have likewise placed on record their respective status reports indicating the progress made in the implementation of the directions issued by this Court. The Central Empowered Committee has, in addition, submitted its Third Report dtd. 20/7/2026, concerning illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, placing before this Court its further findings, observations, recommendations and assessment of the prevailing ground situation.