Supreme Court ने National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary में अवैध रेत खनन के खिलाफ कड़े उपायों का आदेश दिया

<p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Supreme Court — India's apex judicial body that interprets the Constitution and can issue binding orders (GS2: Polity)">Supreme Court</span> on 26 May 2026 took note of a Hindustan Times report showing unregistered vehicles hauling sand in the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary (NCGS) — a protected riverine area home to the endangered gharial, Ganges dolphin and other aquatic fauna (GS1: Environment)">National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary</span>. The Court, alarmed by continued illegal sand mining, issued a series of directions to the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to strengthen enforcement, surveillance and prosecution.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>States must recruit forest guards and frontline officials within one year to fill vacant posts.</li> <li>Installation of CCTV, integrated monitoring centres and high‑resolution cameras on the NH‑44 bridge near Morena‑Dholpur within six months.</li> <li>Immediate seizure and confiscation of all unregistered mining vehicles, including tractors, excavators and dumpers, under the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — legislation governing vehicle registration, licensing and offences (GS3: Law)">Motor Vehicles Act, 1988</span> and the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 — detailed rules implementing the Motor Vehicles Act (GS3: Law)">Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989</span>.</li> <li>Criminal prosecution of owners, financiers and contractors under the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Bharatiya Naya Sanhita 2023 — the new Indian criminal code replacing the Indian Penal Code (GS2: Polity)">Bharatiya Naya Sanhita 2023</span>, the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act — law that regulates mining activities and environmental safeguards (GS3: Economy/Environment)">Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act</span>, and related statutes.</li> <li>Affidavits from state chief secretaries detailing recruitment, surveillance and protection measures.</li> <li>Installation of tamper‑proof fencing and anti‑dumping structures on the bridge, with 24‑hour CCTV operation and data sharing with police and forest departments.</li> <li>Exploration of special employment and skill‑development schemes for local communities to reduce dependence on illegal mining.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The Court invoked its powers under <span class="key-term" data-definition="Article 142 — constitutional provision allowing the Supreme Court to pass binding orders for enforcement of its judgments (GS2: Polity)">Article 142</span> to ensure swift implementation. The directions require recruitment of forest personnel within a year, CCTV deployment within six months, and continuous monitoring of waste dumping. The NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) is tasked with installing cameras c