Bhopal: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a three-member joint committee to investigate allegations of illegal sand mining in the Betwa River in Madhya Pradesh’s Vidisha district. The committee must inspect the site and submit a factual report, including details of action taken, within six weeks.
The case concerns claims of large-scale illegal sand extraction in Jonakhedi village, where the applicant alleges that mining has continued since 2019 without the required environmental and mining approvals.
NGT Orders Investigation Into Vidisha Sand Mining Case
The National Green Tribunal’s Central Zone Bench in Bhopal has directed a joint committee to examine the allegations of illegal sand mining along the Betwa River.
The bench comprises Judicial Member Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and Expert Member Dr. Sukhbir Singh Chaturvedi. It issued notices to the respondents and directed the applicant to take the necessary steps to serve them. The committee will visit the affected location, examine the facts and report the action taken within six weeks.
Vidisha Sand Mining Case: Three-Member Committee To Inspect The Site
The NGT has directed the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee includes representatives from the following departments:
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s regional office in Bhopal.
- The District Magistrate or Collector of Vidisha district.
- The Madhya Pradesh State Pollution Control Board.
The State Pollution Control Board has been appointed to provide coordination and logistical support to the committee. The inspection is expected to help establish the facts surrounding the alleged mining activities and identify any action required under the applicable environmental and mining rules.
Applicant Alleges Illegal Mining Since 2019
The application was filed by a senior citizen concerned about environmental protection and conservation under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
According to the application, the alleged illegal mining is taking place in Jonakhedi village, Kurwai tehsil, in Vidisha district, Madhya Pradesh. The applicant stated that the matter had been pursued since August 21, 2024.
The applicant alleged that Respondent No. 11, who owns agricultural land in the village, had been carrying out large-scale illegal sand mining since 2019.
The application further claimed that the respondent did not have the necessary environmental clearance, mining lease, approved mining plan or District Survey Report. These are allegations made in the application and have not been established as final findings by the tribunal.
Photographs Submitted As Evidence Of Sand Extraction
The applicant also submitted photographs to support the allegations. According to the application, photographs dated October 22, 2025, showed around eight to ten heaps of freshly extracted coarse sand at the site.
The applicant stated that Panchayat members had helped document the alleged extraction and that written communication had also been sent to the Directorate of Geology and Mining. The tribunal’s investigation will help assess the allegations and the available material.
RTI Applications And Appeals Mentioned In The Vidisha Sand Mining Case
The applicant stated that two applications had been filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to obtain records related to the alleged illegal extraction. However, the concerned department reportedly replied that the requested information was not available in its official records.
The applicant also claimed to have filed three appeals before the State Information Commission. These steps were cited in the application as part of the efforts to obtain information and raise concerns about the alleged mining activities.
Why The Betwa River Is Important
The Betwa River is a major inter-state river and a tributary of the Yamuna River, which ultimately flows into the Ganga basin. The application also noted that the Betwa River is connected with the ongoing Ken-Betwa Link Project.
Illegal or unregulated sand extraction, if established, can raise concerns about riverbank stability, erosion, aquatic habitats and the river’s surrounding environment. The committee’s inspection may help determine whether the reported activities have caused environmental harm or require regulatory action.
Read also: Uttar Pradesh and Delhi Launch Joint Task Forces to Stop Illegal Sand Mining on Yamuna River
FAQs
The National Green Tribunal has directed the joint committee to inspect the site and submit its factual and action-taken report within six weeks.
The NGT formed a three-member joint committee to investigate allegations of illegal sand mining in the Betwa River area of Vidisha district, Madhya Pradesh, and report its findings and action taken.
According to the application, the alleged illegal sand mining is taking place in Jonakhedi village, Kurwai tehsil, in Vidisha district, Madhya Pradesh. The allegations remain subject to investigation.
