New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a joint committee to ascertain allegations of illegal mining being carried out under the guise of de-silting a pond near the ancient Siddha Peeth Devi Temple in Dasna village of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.
The green body was hearing a plea alleging illegal mining at the instance of respondent no. 6, the Nagar Palika Parishad of Dasna; and respondent no. 7, a private entity.
In an order dated July 10, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad noted the allegations that the illegal activity was being carried out using heavy machinery.
It noted the claim that while the executive officer of the municipality had filed a report in May 2026 stating that de-silting work was complete, deep digging was still in progress.
“The OA (Original Application) raises substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms,” the bench said.
It appointed a joint committee comprising representatives from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the member secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), the secretary of the Directorate of Geology and Mining (Uttar Pradesh), and the district magistrate (DM) of Ghaziabad.
The tribunal designated the DM as the nodal agency for coordination.
It said, “The joint committee will visit the site, ascertain the extent of desilting work which has been done by the respondent 7 (private entity) and also find out the correctness of the allegation made in the OA and the person responsible for carrying out the said de-silting work in excess of the limit by indulging in illegal mining and the official who had extended the cooperation and help in that process.” The tribunal said that considering the forthcoming monsoon, the committee will take up the exercise of the spot inspection without any delay.
It said, “Let this exercise be completed within two months, and an action report be filed. In the meantime, Respondent 4, Secretary, Directorate of Geology and Mining, will ensure that no illegal mining from the pond in question takes place in the name of de-silting.” The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 15. PTI MNR MNR KSS KSS
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