Madras High Court Directs Authorities to File Detailed Reports on Amaravathi River Illegal Mining
The Madras High Court has issued a significant directive to the water resources department and the geology and mining department authorities, mandating them to file comprehensive reports on the suo motu proceedings initiated to curb illegal mining activities in the Amaravathi river located in Karur district. This judicial intervention underscores the court's proactive stance in addressing environmental degradation and regulatory lapses in the region.
Court's Suo Motu Proceedings and Directions
A division bench comprising Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice B Pugalendhi delivered this order while hearing a suo motu proceeding that was initiated in 2025 specifically aimed at preventing illegal sand mining in the Amaravathi river. The bench emphasized the urgency of the matter by directing the authorities to submit their reports promptly, highlighting the court's commitment to safeguarding natural resources from exploitation.
In the petition, the registrar (judicial) of the Madurai bench had sought several critical directions from the court. These included:
- A directive to prevent encroachments in the Amaravathi riverbed, which could exacerbate environmental damage.
- An order to initiate action to stop illegal mining and quarrying of minor minerals within the river, addressing the root cause of the problem.
- Penal action against those involved in the illegal mining and transportation of sand and other minerals that have already occurred.
- Appropriate measures against district-level officers for their failure to prevent illegal mining activities and the consequent destruction of the riverbed, holding officials accountable for regulatory oversight.
Status Report from Karur District Collector
In response to the court's directives, the Karur district collector submitted a detailed status report outlining the stringent actions taken by the district administration to combat illegal mining. The report revealed that periodical surprise inspections conducted by the revenue, police, and geology and mining departments have led to a noticeable reduction in cases related to unauthorized transportation of minerals compared to previous years.
The collector provided specific data to illustrate the enforcement efforts:
- During the periods of 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 up to December 2025, authorities seized a total of 191 vehicles and 31 bullock carts that were involved in the illicit transportation of river sand and other minerals.
- As many as 148 criminal cases were registered against offenders, demonstrating a robust legal response to the illegal activities.
- A substantial amount of 8 crore rupees was collected from those found guilty of illegal mining, serving as a financial deterrent.
- Additionally, 73.49 lakh rupees was recovered from illicit transportation of minerals in compliance with court orders, further emphasizing the economic consequences of such violations.
These measures reflect a concerted effort by local authorities to enforce regulations and protect the Amaravathi river from further harm, though the court's ongoing scrutiny suggests that more comprehensive actions may be required to ensure long-term sustainability.
