Supreme Court intervenes to protect National Chambal Sanctuary from illegal sand mining
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of media reports to address rampant and illegal sand mining threatening the fragile lotic ecosystem of the National Chambal Sanctuary. This sanctuary is a critical habitat and breeding ground for the critically endangered gharials. The court noted that previous relocation efforts for gharials failed as the new areas were also exploited by sand mining mafias. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had previously ordered monitoring of illegal mining based on a report highlighting it as the biggest threat to the sanctuary, affecting habitat, river morphology, and water retention properties.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court initiated suo motu proceedings to protect the National Chambal Sanctuary from illegal sand mining.
- The sanctuary is vital for critically endangered gharials, whose habitat is being destroyed.
- Previous attempts to relocate gharials failed due to continued mining in new areas.
- The NGT had identified sand mining as the primary threat to the Chambal ecology.
Exam Facts
- Location: National Chambal Sanctuary (tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh).
- Endangered species: Gharials (fish-eating crocodiles).
- Court action: Suo motu cognizance.
- Previous body involved: National Green Tribunal (NGT).
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