The state government is earning royalty from those violating the rules. The next hearing is scheduled for April 25. But no action was taken. RAJKOT: The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and the Union ministry of environment and forest and climate change to submit a joint report on allegations of illegal limestone mining by 13 companies in Junagadh and Gir-Somnath districts since past one month.The bench was acting on petition filed by the Protection of Environment and Public Service Committee that has alleged that the mining was being done in gross violation of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and without prior environment clearance from SEIAA.The petitioners have further alleged that mining companies were given lease by the state government without clearance from the SEIAA, which is the authorized agency for granting environment clearance for mining projects in the state.The president of the Protection of Environment and Public Service Committee, Bhagvan Solanki Lodhva, told TOI, “We had made representation to the SEIAA against illegal mining in the area. This has put the environment at risk.”The NGT’s order of Friday last stated, “In spite of notice, no reply has been filed by the Gujarat SEIAA, GPCB and concerned collectors of the mines department of Gujarat government.”The tribunal has made GPCB the nodal agency for coordination and compliance of its order.The tribunal stated in its order that all concerned agencies should file the report particularly “with reference to the grant of environment clearance and consent under the Air Act and Water Act.”The order also clarified that “if mining is in violation of the law and is being conducted without consent under the Air Act and Water Act, the report may indicate the action taken including action or prohibition, prosecution and recovery of damages.”The petitioner has sought stay on the mining activity in this area till the tribunal decides the petition.
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