Green panel to probe illegal laterite mining in Khurda quarry

NGT orders probe into alleged illegal laterite mining in Khurda

The National Green Tribunal's (NGT) East Zone Bench has formed a joint committee to investigate allegations of illegal and unscientific extraction of laterite stone from the Olasingh Laterite Stone Quarry-B in Khurda district. The bench, comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi (judicial member) and expert members A Senthil Vel and Ishwar Singh, directed the committee to visit the quarry site, verify the allegations, and suggest remedial measures.

The order follows a petition filed by Khurda resident Sarbeswar Bhol, who alleged that despite environmental clearance being granted to the tehsildar of Tangi on June 30, 2021, and transferred to a private lessee on May 2, 2023, the quarrying operations have been conducted in violation of the clearance, consent orders, and the approved mining plan.

During the hearing, the tribunal observed, "Prima facie the allegations made in the petition raise substantial questions relating to environment." The bench also noted that the allegations prima facie raised environmental questions under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. "In view of the allegations made in the petition, we also consider it appropriate that a joint committee be constituted to verify the factual position as part of the process," the bench later stated.

Committee composition and mandate

The joint committee will include representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's (MoEF&CC) Integrated Regional Office in Bhubaneswar, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), and the Khurda district administration. The committee is directed to involve the petitioner and the project lessee during verification. The Khurda district magistrate will serve as the nodal agency for coordination and compliance, as per the order.

The tribunal tasked the committee with auditing the alleged violations and suggesting remedial actions. The committee's report, along with the replies of the respondents, must be submitted within a month, and the case is posted for further consideration on October 26.

Notices and demands

In the same order, the NGT issued notices to the state Forest, Environment and Climate Change department, Khurda collector, Tangi tehsildar, Directorate of Geology, deputy director of Mines, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), the Odisha Space Applications Centre (ORSAC), and the private lessee, directing them to file their responses within a month.

The petitioner sought restoration of the excavated area, imposition of environmental compensation, fixing of accountability of officials of various departments, and a satellite-based audit by ORSAC to quantify the extraction operational inside and outside the lease area. Bhol alleged that excavation had exceeded both the permitted quantity and depth, and had extended beyond the lease boundary.

Other alleged violations included transportation of laterite through village roads, breach of safety-zone norms, non-fulfillment of the obligation to develop a green belt, non-compliance with the progressive mine closure plan, and failure to submit quarterly compliance reports.

According to the petitioner, the environmental clearance permitted extraction of 2,000 cubic metres of laterite annually from 5 hectares (12.35 acres).

Background

The Olasingh laterite quarry, located in Khurda district, was granted clearance initially to the tehsildar, Tangi, before being transferred to a private lessee in May 2023. The development comes amid increased scrutiny of minor mineral extraction in Odisha, particularly regarding adherence to environmental standards.

Both The New Indian Express and The Times of India reported on the NGT's order. While both accounts confirm the formation of the committee and its mandate, there were slight variations in the exact wording of the tribunal's observations. The Times of India noted that the bench's observations were tied to the additional basis that the allegations raised substantial questions under the specific provisions of the NGT Act, while the Express quoted the observations directly. Neither outlet indicated a different order on the nature of the committee or its timeline.

As the case moves forward, attention will center on the committee's findings, which are due within a month, and the subsequent response from the state agencies and the lessee. The October 26 hearing will determine the next steps based on the committee's report and the replies filed.