In 2019, the illegal wildlife trade reached staggering levels. Pangolin scales and ivory were being trafficked in massive quantities from Africa to Asia, exposing a network of crime syndicates operating at an industrial scale. The sheer volume of these shipments marked a disturbing milestone, one that revealed the global reach …
Issue likely to be raised in Legislative Assembly session starting today After months of inaction against politicians allegedly involved in illegal mining, the Goa State Vigilance Department early this week, based on a complaint filed in 2011 by activist and now Congress spokesperson Sudeep Tamhankar, filed an FIR naming two …
Taking suo motu cognisance of illegal mining in Punjab, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today put on notice the State of Punjab and its Principal Secretary. The Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Augustine George Masih also gave two weeks time to …
The Madras High Court bench here on Tuesday directed the Tuticorin police to file a counter-affidavit to a petition filed by the Human Rights Protection Centre (HRPC), Tuticorin district, seeking permission to organise a rally and a public meeting at Tuticorin on October 12 to highlight illegal garnet quarrying in …
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a vigilance probe into “mining mafia” operating in parts of Haryana. Issuing the directions, the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Augustine Georga Masih made it clear that the matter was being handed over to the vigilance, and not …
The geology and mines directorate of UP has earned a revenue of about Rs 128 crore more than last year, simply by “plugging the loopholes”. After the Durga Sakthi Nagpal episode, the increased revenue of the mining directorate is another proof that all was not well with the mining sector …
While assuming charge as Industries and Commerce Minister here today, Madan Mohan Mittal said illegal mining, if any, would be dealt with a heavy hand. He said as chairman of the District Planning, Ropar, he was the first to raise the issue and put tabs on illegal mining in the …
The much-awaited final Shah commission report, that would consist of financial irregularities by mining firms, traders and exporters, is likely to be delayed. Speaking to TOI from Gujarat, commission member U V Singh said, "We are not able to complete the final report. We have decided to submit one more …
Commission’s term ends on October 16, Ministry denies it third extension The Centre is not extending the tenure of the Justice M.B. Shah Commission, inquiring into illegal mining in seven States. With its tenure ending on October 16, the one-man panel will have to wind up within two weeks, without …
Even if there is no notification of wildlife sanctuaries and buffer zones, the Supreme Court can say that you (state government) are obliged under Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution to protect life including the environment and that you can’t exploit within this area.” These were stern observations …
Sikkim could be in for a Goa-like scam of environmental violations with several hydroelectric projects coming up on the Teesta river basin without mandatory wildlife clearance, flouting Supreme Court orders, a team of the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) has warned in a report to the Union Environment and Forests …
The Supreme Court today said there should be a proper system in place to regulate mining and other related activities in Goa where iron ore extractions in 90 mines had been banned by it following the report of a panel that illegal mining was going on there. “We feel that …
Hardly a fortnight after the Madhya Pradesh government scuttled the Jal Satyagraha against submergence by dams, it has again come down hard on activists in Sidhi protesting against diversion of forest land for a cement factory. On the intervening night of September 30 and October 1, 22 protesters in Sidhi …
Illegal mining is continuing unabated in various parts of the state despite a complete ban on it by the National Green Tribunal. Sources said stone-crusher owners were deceptively indulging in illegal mining in the guise of the permission given to them by the state government for stock clearance. Interestingly, most …
The Government of India will not extend the tenure of the Justice M. B. Shah Commission inquiring into illegal mining in seven states. Sources in the commission told The Hindu that the one man Commission’s tenure will end on October 16 and hence will have to wind up without a …
Goa government's new mineral policy has banned fresh excavation of iron ore till an expert panel determines the optimum level of fresh mining that can be undertaken in this mineral rich coastal state. The Goa Mineral Policy, which was notified last Saturday, mentions that it would take three months for …
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday defended Minister of State for Infrastructure Development Santosh Lad by stating that there were no documents to prove allegations of illegal mining against him. He said the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had listed V S Lad and Sons mining company under ‘C’ category and its …
Recommends 45 MMT cap on exports Even if Supreme Court lifts the ban on mining operations in Goa, fresh extraction will not be allowed for the time being, and only ore which is extracted and stacked would be allowed to be shipped, says the State Mining Policy 2013, notified on …
In yet another order that has taken on illegal sand mining, the National Green Tribunal on Monday directed the Salem Collector to prevent the functioning of illegal brick kilns and excavation of sand in Eddapadi Taluk in the district. The order of interim injunction was passed on a petition filed …
Despite the clamour in Goa to restart ‘legal mining’, the prognosis on the timing and quantum of mining that will be allowed is still unclear, especially, as most of the respondents - save for the state and central governments - are yet to be heard, with no indications of an …
In the wake of the CBI arresting two former bureaucrats and two MLAs in the illegal iron ore mining cases, the mines and geology department has initiated action against its officials involved in the matter. The CM had directed the departments, whose officers have been named in Lokayukta Justice Santosh …
