National Green Tribunal probes illegal mining in Khordha

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Eastern Zone Bench has established a joint committee to investigate allegations of illegal and unscientific laterite stone extraction at the Olasingh Laterite Stone Quarry-C in the Khordha district of Odisha.

The investigation follows an application by Trinath Palei, who alleges that the private lessee is operating in violation of environmental clearances. Specific allegations include extracting minerals beyond permitted quantities and lease boundaries, mining at unauthorized depths, and failing to implement mandatory safety-zone norms or green-belt plantations. The applicant further noted that while the clearance required the planting of 1,000 native saplings, no such plantation has occurred.

The committee will include representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), and the District Magistrate of Khordha, who will act as the nodal agency. The panel is tasked with visiting the site, verifying the claims, and recommending remedial measures within one month. The NGT has issued notices to the state government and the private lessee, requiring responses within the same timeframe.