Reacting on a PIl filed by a Surat-based businessman, the Gujarat High Court has ordered closure of as many as 67 sand mining units active in Gir forest — the abode of endangered Asiatic lions.
The PIl was filed by one, Rajkumar Sutaria, mentioning that the rampant mining activities in Gir area would disturb the habitat of not only Asiatic lions but also the entire wildlife, including leopard, bears, hyenas, golden jackals etc. The two-member bench of the High Court included Justice Jayant Patel and Justice GB Shah.
Following the order, the State forest department submitted that the lease period of 67 mining units on the banks of Shetrunji river, which ended last year would not be renewed and they would not be granted No Objection Certificate (NOC) for sand mining.
Criticising the State Mines and Mineral department for allowing the lease holders to continue mining activities despite the lease period expired, the court said the department took the benefit of a clause (loophole) which allows lease holders to continue mining activities when their renewal applications are pending.
The court also directed police department to provide police force to the Mines department in order to stop mining activities in the Shetrunji river area that falls under Amreli district. The PIl claimed that though the Gir sanctuary is protected as an eco-sensitive zone where no construction or development activities can take place in a radius of 10 km, rampant mining activities are going on in the Shetrunji river area which threatens the existence of wildlife.
Recently, the Gujarat High Court also ordered to ban commercial activities in Gir Sanctuary and as a result of it, the State forest department sealed more than 60 hotels and guest houses falling in the buffer zone including a luxury hotel of Taj Group.