Advertisement
When should a housing society in Mumbai start considering re...
From GST on JDAs to SEBI’s REIT reclassification and the S...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has intensified oversight of stone crushing units in the Shivalik Hills region of Ropar district, Punjab, after identifying environmental violations. The tribunal directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to close 13 non-compliant crushers, collect environmental compensation, and initiate criminal complaints against operators. Remaining units must be inspected, and their raw material sources verified according to 2025 regulations. The PPCB has three months to complete these actions and submit compliance reports. This step is part of broader efforts to protect fragile hill ecosystems and local communities.
The National Green Tribunal has issued strict instructions to curb illegal and environmentally harmful stone crushing in the Shivalik Hills of Ropar district, Punjab. The tribunal highlighted that unregulated extraction activities in the Beet area of Garhshankar sub division have been causing significant damage to the landscape, vegetation, and local water resources. Advertisement
Thirteen stone crushing units were identified as operating in violation of environmental norms. The tribunal directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board to enforce closure notices on these units, collect environmental compensation, and register criminal complaints where required. Units found in breach of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act are being penalized accordingly.
The tribunal emphasized that other crushers in the region could also be non-compliant. The PPCB has been instructed to inspect all remaining units, verify their sources of raw materials, and ensure adherence to the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units and Stockists and Retailers Act, along with the Punjab State Minor Mineral (Amendment) Policy of 2025.
This enforcement comes in the context of repeated complaints by environmental groups and local residents, who have raised concerns about large-scale illegal mining activities. These groups reported that extensive hill erosion, deforestation, and groundwater depletion were occurring due to the continuous operation of stone crushers without proper consent. The tribunal's intervention reflects the need for consistent application of regulatory standards to protect the region's ecology.
The PPCB has been given a three-month timeline to complete inspections, ensure compliance, and submit a detailed report on actions taken to the registrar general. This order reinforces the tribunal's focus on preventing further environmental degradation, safeguarding local communities, and maintaining ecological balance in the Shivalik foothills.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
