NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED IN THE TRIBUNE DATED 28.09.2023 TITLED AS "HILLS 'VANISH' AS ILLEGAL MINING RAMPANT IN BEET AREA" vs

1 Item No.

11 Court No.

1 BEFORE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI Original Application No.

624/2023 News Item Published In The Tribune Dated 28.09.2023 Titled As “Hills 'Vanish' As Illegal Mining Rampant In Beet Area” Versus Central Pollution Control Board & Ors.

Respondent(s) Date of hearing: 04.02.2026 CORAM: HON’BLE MR.

JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON HON’BLE DR.

A.

SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER Respondents: Ms.

Soni Singh, Adv. for CPCB (Through VC) Mr.

Naginder Benipal & Mr.

Udit Vaghela, Advs. for PPCB (Through VC) Mr.

Rahul Kumar Verma & Mr.

Raj Shekhar Awasthi, Advs. for the State of Punjab Ms.

Nupur Kumar, Adv. for R - 5 (Through VC) Mr.

Shalabh Gupta, Adv. for MoEF & CC (Through VC) ORDER 1.

This OA was registered suo-Moto on the basis of the news item dated 28.09.2023 published in the Tribune titled ‘Hills ‘Vanish’ As Illegal Mining Rampant in Beet Area’.

The news item had disclosed the illegal mining in Shivalik Hills in the beet area of Garhshankar Sub-Division affecting the hills.

The news item had also disclosed that the mining mafia was carrying out illegal mining in the forest and mountains and the stone crushers were operating by violating norms in the villages Kalewal-Beet, Khuralgarh Sahib and Garhi Mansowal along with Manidpur, Kheda, Kalmot, Bhangla, Haripur, Plata and Splanwa Salsunga of Rupnagar District.

The news item had disclosed that on account of illegal mining the hills were erased by the mining mafia.

2.

The Tribunal by the order dated 16.10.2023 had impleaded the concerned Respondents and had noticed them.

Thereafter, on the basis of 2 the disclosure made in the report of PPCB the 13 stone crushers who were found to be violating the norms and had indulged in illegal mining were impleaded as the Respondents No.

7 to 19.

3.

The PPCB has filed the latest report dated 31.10. ted 31.10.2025 disclosing the action taken against these 13 stone crushers as under:- “4) That briefly stated that the Punjab Pollution Control Board has taken action against 13 stone crushers who were indulged in illegal mining and had been impleaded as respondents in the present case.

The action taken by the Board is summarized herein below: S.

No.

Name and address of the Crusher Action Taken by the Board 1.

Sat Sahib Stone Crusher & Screening Plant, Vill.

Haripur, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar a) Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs.

8, 31,250 has been imposed for violation of environmental norms and damage to environment.

The decision was conveyed to the stone crusher vide letter no.

342 dated 23.02.2024. b) Directions Issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Alr (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

12133 dated 15.02.2024 for closure of unit. c) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and Its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. d) The Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs.

8, 31,250 has been recovered.

Adesh Stone Crusher, Vill.

Algran, Tehsil Nangal, Rupnagar a) Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs.

6,87,500 has been imposed for violation of environmental norms and damage to environment.

338 dated 23.02.2024. b) Directions issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 vide letter no.

12084 dated 15.02.2024 for closure of unit. c) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. d) Rs.

2.00 Lakh towards Environmental Compensation has been recovered out of the total amount of Rs.

6,87,500/- 3.

7,500/- 3.

Sidhi Vinayak Stone Crusher, Vill.

Algran, Sri Anandpur Rupnagar a) Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs.

7,25,000 has been imposed for violation of environmental norms and damage to environment.

343 dated 23.02.2024.

3 b) Directions Issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

12121 dated 15.02.2024 for closure of unit. c) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and also under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. d) The Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs.

7,25,000 has been recovered.

4.

Ganga Stone Crusher, Vill.

Khera Kalmot a) Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs.

18.50 lacs has been imposed for violation of environmental norms and damage to environment.

The decision was conveyed to the crusher vide office order no.

09 dated 03.01.2024. b) Directions issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

9888-89 dated 02.01.2024 for closure of unit. c) The industry has installed 01 no. of DG set of capacity 380 KVA which has been sealed by this office. d) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and also under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. e) The amount of Environmental Compensation has to be recovered.

5.

Grewal Stone Crusher, vill.

Khera Kalmot, Nangal, Rupnagar a) Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs.

37,500 has been imposed for violation of environmental norms and damage to environment.

337 dated 23.02. ted 23.02.2024. b) Directions issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

12099 dated 15.02.2024 for closure of unit. c) The crusher has installed 02 no. of DG sets of capacities 125 KVA and 380 KVA which have been sealed by the Board. d)Criminal complaint has been filed against th e stone crusher and its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. e) The Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs.

37,500/- has been recovered.

6.

Kalgidhar Stone Crusher, Vill.

18.50 lac has been imposed for violation of environmental norms and damage to environment.

The decision was conveyed to the 4 stone crusher vide letter no.

10 dated 23.02.2024. b) Directions issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

9890-91 dated 02.01.2024 for closure of unit. c) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. d) Amount of Rs.

4,62,500/- has been deposited towards Environmental Compensation by the stone crusher out of the total amount of Rs.18.50 Lac.

7.

Bhalla Cone Crusher, vill Bhaliri a) Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs.

18,56,250 has been imposed for violation of environmental norms and damage to environment.

340 dated 23.02.2024. b) Directions issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

12127 dated 15.02.2024 for closure of unit. e of unit. c) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and also under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. d) Amount of Rs.

4,64,063/- has been deposited towards Environmental Compensation by the stone crusher out of the total amount of Rs.

18,56,250/-.

8.

Bharat Stone Crusher & Screening Plant, Vill: Plata, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar a) Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs.

5,93,750 has been imposed for violation of environmental norms and damage to environment.

335 dated 23.02.2024, out of which the unit has deposited part of the EC of Rs.

1,50,000/- to the Board vide R. no.

15/5326 dated 01.03.2024. b) Directions issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

12139 dated 15.02.2024 for closure of unit. c) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and also under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. d) The Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs.

5,93,750/- has been recovered 9.

Sai Stone Crusher, Vill.

Swara, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar a) Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs.

11,75,000 has been imposed for violation of environmental norms and damage to environment.

The decision was conveyed to the 5 stone crusher vide letter no.

339 dated 23.02.2024. b) Directions issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

12145 dated 15.02.2024 for closure of unit. e of unit. c) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and also under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. d) The Environmental Compensation amounting to Rs.

11,75,000/- has been recovered.

10.

A.S Brar Stone Crusher, Vill.

Agampur a) Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs.

32, 43,750 has imposed for violation of environmental norms and damage to environment.

341 dated 23.02.2024. b) Directions issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

12111 dated 15.02.2024 for closure of unit. c) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. d) Amount of Rs.

3,00,000/- has been deposited towards Environmental Compensation by the stone crusher out of the total amount of Rs.

32,43,750/-.

11.

Puri Stone Crusher, Vill.

Palata, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar a) Environmental Compensation (EC) of Rs.

54,75,000 has been imposed for violation of environmental norms and damage to environment.

336 dated 23.02.2024, out of which the unit has deposited part of the EC of Rs.

4,00,000/- to the Board vide R. no.

18/5326 dated 01.03.2024. b) Directions issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

12070 dated 15.02.2024 for closure of unit. c) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. d) Amount of Rs. unt of Rs.

4,00,000/- has been deposited towards Environmental Compensation by the stone crusher out of the total amount of Rs.

54,75,000/-.

12.

New Satluj Stone Crusher Unit 1, Vill.

Khera Kalmot a) Environmental Compensation (Environmental Clearance) of Rs.

17,62,500 has been imposed and the same has been issued vide office order no.

08 dated 03.01.2024, out of which the unit has deposited 6 part of the EC of Rs.

4,40,625/- to the Board vide R. no.

14/5326 dated 01.03.2024. b) Directions issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

9878-79 dated 02.01.2024 for closure of unit. c) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and its responsible person. under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. d) Amount of Rs.

4,40,625/- has been deposited towards Environmental Compensation by the stone crusher out of the total amount of Rs.

17,62,500/- 13.

Pritthvee Stone Crusher & Screening Plant, Vill.

Spalwa, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar a) Directions issued u/s 33-A of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and u/s 31-A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, vide letter no.

12105 dated 15.02.2024 for closure of unit. b) Criminal complaint has been filed against the stone crusher and its responsible person under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Learned counsel appearing for the PPCB has referred to the orders filed along with this report from page 981 onwards and has submitted that directions have already been issued by the PPCB under Section 33A of the Water (Prevention and Control) of Pollution Act, 1974 read with Section 31A of the Air (Prevention and Control) of Pollution Act, 1981 for closure of all these 13 stone crushers.

5. ushers.

The above report of the PPCB also discloses the status of recovery of environmental compensation from these 13 violating stone crushers as under:- S.

Name of the Stone Crusher Amount of recovery 1.

Swara, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar 55,36,446 2.

Spalwa, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar 10,18,576/- 3.

Algran, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar 1,62,30,908/- 4.

Agampur 6,33,50,147/- 5.

Khera Kalmot, Nangal, Rupnagar 1,37,34,092/- 6.

Algran, Tehsil Nangal Rupnagar 24,57,04,995/- 7.

Khera Kalmot 18,67,78,148/- 7 8.

Khera Kalmot, Nangal, Rupnagar 14,01,95,032/- 9.

Palata, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar 2,21,38,696/- 10.

Khera Kalmot 85,51,39,441/- 11.

Haripur, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar 11,31,34,850/- 12.

Bharat Stone Crusher & Screening Plant, Vill: Plata, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar 46,19,568/ 13.

Bhalla Cone Crusher, vill Bhallri 7,91,00,673/- 6.

In view of the above report disclosing the action taken by the PPCB, we dispose of the OA directing:- (i) The PPCB to ensure strict compliance of the closure orders issued against the violating stone crushers and also to ensure recovery of remaining environmental compensation from these stone crushers. (ii) It has come on record that some other stone crushers are also operating in the area concerned, therefore, PPCB is directed to carry out the inspection of the remaining stone crushers and ascertain the status of compliance of the CTO condition. (iii) The PPCB will verify source of raw material of these stone crushers specially in reference to the provisions of Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailers Act, 2025 and Punjab State Minor Mi e Minor Mineral (Amendment) Policy, 2025 and Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailers Rules, 2025 and take action against those remaining stone crusher units who are operating in violation of the norms. (iv) Let the above exercise be completed within a period of three months and action taken report be filed before the Registrar General of the Tribunal via email at [email protected].

If deemed necessary, the matter will be listed for consideration before the bench again.

8 7.

The OA is accordingly disposed of.

Prakash Shrivastava, CP Dr.

Senthil Vel, EM February 4, 2026 Original Application No.

624/2023 A