NGT Takes Action Against Illegal Stone Quarrying in Odisha's Khurda District
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued formal notices to several Odisha government authorities concerning allegations of illegal laterite stone extraction and unauthorized tree felling at Ramachandrapur in Khurda district. The tribunal has directed these officials to submit their responses within a strict four-week timeframe.
Legal Proceedings and Environmental Concerns
The notice was issued by the NGT East Zone Bench on March 11 and officially uploaded on March 14. This action came during the hearing of a petition filed by Madhusudan Palai and two other residents of Khurda district. The petitioners alleged that illegal quarrying activities commenced at the Ramachandrapur Laterite Stone Quarry-2 in January without obtaining mandatory statutory clearances.
The bench, comprising judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel, observed that the application raised substantial environmental questions under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. They considered submissions from advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy, along with documented evidence.
Authorities Notified and Next Steps
Notices have been served to the following authorities:
- Chief Secretary of Odisha
- Khurda Collector and District Magistrate
- Director of Mines and Geology
- Tehsildar of Tangi
- Deputy Director of Mines (Khurda Circle)
- Member Secretary of Odisha State Pollution Control Board
- Member Secretary of State Environment Impact Assessment Authority
- Superintendent of Police, Khurda
The matter has been scheduled for the next hearing on April 16. According to the petition, the Deputy Director of Mines, Khurda circle, had advertised an auction for eight quarries, including Ramachandrapur Laterite Stone Quarry-1 and 2, on September 12, 2025. The successful bidder for quarry-2 allegedly began land clearing and tree felling from January 11, 2026, without securing necessary approvals such as environmental clearance, consent to establish, consent to operate, lease agreements, or transit permits.
Petitioners' Demands for Environmental Restoration
In their plea, the petitioners have urged the tribunal to:
- Constitute a committee to assess environmental damage
- Quantify the volume of morrum and laterite stone extracted illegally
- Determine the market value, restoration cost, and environmental compensation to be recovered from private respondents
- Fix responsibility on government officials for alleged inaction
- Prosecute those involved in illegal mining activities
- Direct authorities to restore the affected land and undertake plantation efforts
This case highlights ongoing challenges in environmental governance and the enforcement of regulations in mining sectors, with potential implications for ecological balance and legal accountability in Odisha.
