[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed displeasure in the delay by the Surveyor General of India in filing a report on illegal open cast mining in the district of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan.
The NGT had in a detailed order on March 8, 2019, directed the official to conduct a survey, of the areas being mined using drones and GPS and submit a report, while noting that “because of open cast mining … pollution has been affecting the environment of the residents of the area which are about 14 lakhs in number. Mining is even going on within the city/municipal limits of Chittorgarh”.
Directing the Surveyor General of India to submit the survey report on the next date of hearing on July 22, 2019 and to be present in person before the Tribunal, a panel comprising Judicial Member Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore and Expert Member Dr Satyawan Singh Garbyal also directed the Director General, Civil Aviation to consider the request of the Surveyor General to use drones for the purpose of preparing the report.
