The Gauhati High Court has issued notices to the central government and the Assam state government, directing them to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning uncontrolled mining activities in the Beki River. The petition highlights that indiscriminate sand extraction has led to severe bank erosion, posing a direct threat to nearby villages.
Background of the Case
The Beki River originates in Bhutan and flows through the ecologically sensitive Manas National Park in Assam. The bench comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury was hearing a PIL filed by Biploab Ray and two others. The petitioners argue that degradation of the river ecosystem due to indiscriminate sand extraction has caused significant environmental harm, including lowering of the riverbed, destabilization of banks, disruption of groundwater, increased flood risk, and damage to biodiversity.
Petitioners' Allegations
Advocate J.I. Borbhuiya, representing the petitioners, pointed out that the mining contract was awarded to one Palash Das, who allegedly obtained environmental clearance only mechanically. “There has been no field verification for assessment of environment or human safety impacts,” he stated. The advocate further noted that although environmental clearance was granted, the necessary prerequisites and duties of the contractor—such as maintaining safety zones, protecting the hydro-geological regime, and adopting safeguards—are not being followed. He added that representations made to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority yielded no results.
Court's Directive
After hearing the PIL, the court issued notices to the central government, the state government, the state forest department, and the Assam Pollution Control Board. These authorities have been directed to file affidavits in response to the petition by July 20.
