ORDER

1.

1. This original application is registered suo motu on the basis of news item titled "Rajasthan mei avaidh khanan ke 676 thikane chinhit do din mei 500 karyavahi" appearing in ‘Abhay India’ dated

18.01.2024.

2. The news item discloses extent of illegal mining in Rajasthan. As per the article, State Authorities had initiated campaign against illegal mining and about 676 sensitive areas have been identified, out of which 55 are in Bhilwara and Dungarpur. Tonk and Sawai Madhopur are also sensitive area with regard to illegal gravel mining. As per the news item, in addition to the gravel, masonry, stone and gypsum, the illegal mining of quartz, China clay, sand stone, kota stone, garnet and bentonite is in progress in the State. The news item also discloses the action by the Mining Department

1 against 500 such incidents but nothing is reflected in the news item in respect of imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) against the persons who are involved in illegal mining and who have caused damage to the environment.

3. The matter was taken up by this Tribunal and a committee consisting District Magistrate, representative of the RSPCB