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 …
A three-member central team sent to Punjab to assess the extent of illegal mining in the state has reportedly submitted its report to the Ministry of Environment and Forests. It has reportedly said the state government had failed to check illegal mining. The team comprising Surinder Kumar, Regional Director, Ministry …
Wildlife Department officials are finding it hard to conduct raids against illegal gem miners, in three national parks, as the culprits had claimed they were operating with the blessings of Wildlife Resources and Conservation Management Minister Vijith Wijithamuni de Zoysa. Officials, who fear the influence of the minister in charge …
The government is contemplating constituting a flying squad to keep a check on illegal sand mining in the state. This decision follows the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) nationwide ban on sand extraction in river beds without obtaining a clearance from the Union ministry of environment. North Goa collector Mihir Vardhan …
Chief minister ManoharParrikar on Tuesday said that suspension orders on 24 to 30 mining leases would be lifted soon. He also clarified that lifting the suspension will not lead to an immediate resumption of mining activities, as the matter has to be decided by the Supreme Court. The government had …
The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the new sand policy for the state to check its illegal mining and ensure maximum revenue. This was done in accordance with the directives of the apex court on February 27, 2012. Briefing reporters here, cabinet secretariat department secretary Brajesh Mehrotra said the cabinet …
Virginius Xaxa-headed commission to also examine mining in tribal areas The government has set up a commission – its third since independence --to examine various issues of development and welfare of tribals, including the contentious issue of mining in tribal-dominated areas. Headed by sociologist and National Advisory Council member Virginius …
The Directorate of Mines and Geology has submitted a list of additional 38 mining leases to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), after the mines were surveyed to map their distance from wildlife sanctuaries. With this, details of total 92 mining leases, out of total 118, have been …
Massive illegal mining was underway at mines from where the district administration confiscated more than 30 trucks involved in transportation of illegal sand, sources said. As per the reports of the mining department, which was submitted to district collector on Monday, mining was only permitted from rakba number 1,169 spread …
Goa government is planning to wrap up Justice (retd) R M S Khandeparkar commission formed a year back to probe into the illegal mining unearthed by Justice M B Shah commission. "The government is considering to wind up the Khandeparkar committee. The official decision would be taken by the state …
With an eye to a crucial hearing in the Supreme Court later this month, the Goa government has made its first move to prosecute those indicted in a Rs.35,000 crore illegal mining scam in the state. The first information report (FIR) comes after months of going slow in the illegal …
The high court has sought from UP government details of FIRs and status of probes in connection with the raids conducted in Gautam Budh Nagar after suspension of Durga Nagpal. The order came from a division bench of Chief Justice Shiva Kirti Singh and Justice DK Upadhyay on a PIL, …
In a major move that would send out a message to the mining industry in Goa, the State government is reportedly mulling lifting the suspension order on all mining leases it had issued on September 9 last year in the aftermath of the tabling in Parliament of the Shah Commission …
Illegal mining in Uttar Pradesh between 2005-11 caused a loss of Rs 1,400 crore to the exchequer, says a draft report of the comptroller & auditor general. The report, prepared on the activities of state geology and mining directorate, belies state government's claims on checking illegal mining and indicates that …
The state government finally filed a complaint regarding illegal mining before the Lokayukta. The complaint seeks recovery of losses and investigations into related civil issues. The Lokayukta has also been asked to affix civil liability on those involved in the illegal mining scam. Goa Lokayukta secretary Methew Samuel confirmed receiving …
Close on the heels of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal’s suspension for acting against the sand mafia in Uttar Pradesh, the Punjab Congress has decided to raise the issue of rampant sand and gravel mining in Punjab with the Centre. The state Congress unit will demand a central inquiry followed …
Two IAS officers are in the dock for alleged non-compliance of judicial orders on the mandatory environmental clearance for mining quarries measuring up to five acres in Punjab. The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued a notice to the Principal Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, Karan Avtar Singh. …
In a bid to curb illegal mining in the state, the government has decided to install CCTVs at barriers in 13 districts where mining is carried out. Apart from this, officials would be given android mobile phones for better communication, and software would be installed to track various vehicles. Handheld …
Says not a single environmental clearance granted for it in Gautam Budh Nagar district The Uttar Pradesh government today reluctantly admitted before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that illegal sand mining was going on in the state and not even a single environmental clearance granted for it in Gautam Budh …
Peeved at the lackadaisical attitude of the Punjab government in not seeking environment clearance from the Centre for mining of minor minerals, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday issued contempt notices to two senior IAS officers. Contempt notices were issued to former principal secretary (Industries and Commerce) A …
Years of illegal sand mining on beaches in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin, Tirunelvelli and Kanyakumari districts is affecting ecology, marine life and the entire coastal community. Besides, the large scale illicit mining of rare precious minerals in these three coastal districts have caused a loss of Rs 96,120 crore to the …
