DINESH KUMAR CHANDOLA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We have heard Mr. Dushyant Mainali, the learned counsel for the petitioner, and Mr. S.N. Babulkar, the learned Advocate General assisted by Mr. C.S. Rawat, the learned Chief Standing Counsel for the State of Uttarakhand, and proceed to dispose of this Public Interest Litigation.

(2.) The challenge raised in this Writ Petition (PIL) is to the Government Order dtd. 7/1/2022, and the subsequent permission granted for mining/ dredging of Nandhaur River in the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary. The petitioner also seeks a direction to the respondents to notify and categorize the zones, where mining is prohibited in the State of Uttarakhand, in consonance with the guidelines issued by respondent no. 1, i.e. the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Union Government.

(3.) By the order dtd. 7/1/2022, the State Government had permitted M/s A.P.S. Infra Engineers Private Limited to carry out the activity of dredging in the Upper Nandhaur Chorgalia Area for a period of six months, and also to remove the silt and RBM, which is dredged.