Madhya Pradesh High Court bans "illegal" sand mining in Narmada Project area

By A Representative
The Jabalpur bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has asked the Madhya Pradesh (MP) government to immediately stop "illegal sand mining in Sardar Sarovar areas", calling the MP government-sponsored mining leases of lands vested in the Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) a “colourable exercise” of power. The court directed the MP government, the State Pollution Control Board and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, to file "detailed replies" by May 12.
The bench, comprising Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Moolchand Garg directed a complete stay on all sand mining operations in the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP)-affected areas in the state and called upon the MP government to furnish complete details regarding the mining activities in the project areas."
A Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) statement issued in the wake of the order said, "The court expressed its serious dissatisfaction at the refusal of the state to furnish the requisite details and categorically ordered that there shall be no further sand mining in the SSP-affected areas, until satisfactory information is filed in terms of the previous orders."
"The court found force in the contentions of the petitioners, NBA, and noted that the Mining Department could not have granted leases of lands in the SSP areas, once the same have vested in the NVDA and if the same has happened, it is in colourable exercise of power by the concerned authorities", the NBA said.
According to NBA, on March 26, 2015, Chief Justice AM Khanvilkar issued a specific directive to the collectors of all the concerned districts to file affidavit and provide in tabular form the names of lessees, date on which lease permission was granted and date on which the land in respect of which lease has been granted, has been vested in the NVDA."
"Despite being granted two extensions, the MP government failed to provide the information with details as sought for by the court. On April 22, 2015, the MP government was directed to file the reply within three days, failing which the court threatened that all sand mining would be stayed. Despite the court’s severe warning and specific directives, the utter non-compliance of the state came a shock to the court."
The NBA further said, "Although a so-called Compliance Report was filed on the April 25 with regard to sand mining leases in the Badwani and Dhar districts, the same did not contain, rather concealed, the details sought, i.e. when were the lands in question were transferred to the NVDA, names of lessees and dates of leases."
"Pleading for the petitioners, NBA and SSP oustees affected by the mining activities, Medha Patkar urged the court to forthwith stop all the mining activities in the areas, since the same is in gross violation of the directives issued by the Supreme Court, the National Green Tribunal and also constitutes a criminal offence under the Penal Code", it said.
"The order was passed in a major PIL filed against the large-scale, reckless sand mining in the Narmada valley, especially the SSP submergence and catchment areas, leading to adverse impacts on the riverine ecology, ground water, reservoir fish and causing major revenue losses to the state exchequer, crores of corruption", the NBA alleged.

Comments

From plagiarism to proxy exams: Galgotias and systemic failure in education

By Sandeep Pandey* Shock is being expressed at Galgotias University being found presenting a Chinese-made robotic dog and a South Korean-made soccer-playing drone as its own creations at the recently held India AI Impact Summit 2026, a global event in New Delhi. Earlier, a UGC-listed journal had published a paper from the university titled “Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis,” which became the subject of widespread ridicule. Following the robotic dog controversy coming to light, the university has withdrawn the paper. These incidents are symptoms of deeper problems afflicting the Indian education system in general. Galgotias merely bit off more than it could chew.

Farewell to Saleem Samad: A life devoted to fearless journalism

By Nava Thakuria* Heartbreaking news arrived from Dhaka as the vibrant city lost one of its most active and committed citizens with the passing of journalist, author and progressive Bangladeshi national Saleem Samad. A gentleman who always had issues to discuss with anyone, anywhere and at any time, he passed away on 22 February 2026 while undergoing cancer treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was 74.

From ancient wisdom to modern nationhood: The Indian story

By Syed Osman Sher South of the Himalayas lies a triangular stretch of land, spreading about 2,000 miles in each direction—a world of rare magic. It has fired the imagination of wanderers, settlers, raiders, traders, conquerors, and colonizers. They entered this country bringing with them new ethnicities, cultures, customs, religions, and languages.

The 'glass cliff' at Galgotias: How a university’s AI crisis became a gendered blame game

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan* “She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information.” These were the words used in the official press release by Galgotias University following the controversy at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. The statement came across as defensive, petty, and deeply insensitive.

Conversion laws and national identity: A Jesuit response response to the Hindutva narrative

By Rajiv Shah A recent book, " Luminous Footprints: The Christian Impact on India ", authored by two Jesuit scholars, Dr. Lancy Lobo and Dr. Denzil Fernandes , seeks to counter the current dominant narrative on Indian Christians , which equates evangelisation with conversion, and education, health and the social services provided by Christians as meant to lure -- even force -- vulnerable sections into Christianity.

Sergei Vasilyevich Gerasimov, the artist who survived Stalin's cultural purges

By Harsh Thakor* Sergei Vasilyevich Gerasimov (September 14, 1885 – April 20, 1964) was a Soviet artist, professor, academician, and teacher. His work was posthumously awarded the Lenin Prize, the highest artistic honour of the USSR. His paintings traced the development of socialist realism in the visual arts while retaining qualities drawn from impressionism. Gerasimov reconciled a lyrical approach to nature with the demands of Soviet socialist ideology.

Development vs community: New coal politics and old conflicts in Madhya Pradesh

By Deepmala Patel* The Singrauli region of Madhya Pradesh, often described as “India’s energy capital,” has for decades been a hub of coal mining and thermal power generation. Today, the Dhirouli coal mine project in this district has triggered widespread protests among local communities. In recent years, the project has generated intense controversy, public opposition, and significant legal and social questions. This is not merely a dispute over one mine; it raises a larger question—who pays the price for energy development? Large corporate beneficiaries or the survival of local communities?

Development at what cost? The budget's blind spot for the environment

By Raj Kumar Sinha* The historical ills in the relationship between capital and the environment have now manifested in areas commonly referred to as the "environmental crisis." This includes global warming, the destruction of the ozone layer, the devastation of tropical forests, mass mortality of fish, species extinction, loss of biodiversity, poison seeping into the atmosphere and food, desertification, shrinking water supplies, lack of clean water, and radioactive pollution.

Public money, private profits: Crop insurance scheme as goldmine for corporates

By Vikas Meshram The farmer in India is not merely a food provider; he is the soul of the nation. For centuries, enduring natural calamities and bearing debt generation after generation while remaining loyal to the soil, this community now finds itself trapped in a different kind of crisis. In February 2016, the Modi government launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) with the stated objective of freeing farmers from the shackles of debt. It was an ambitious attempt to provide a strong safety net to cultivators repeatedly devastated by excessive rainfall, drought, and hailstorms.

Search This Blog