New Delhi, May 12 – The Supreme Court has directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to examine concerns raised in a plea alleging that an embankment was constructed on the River Yamuna near the Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Haryana to enable illegal mining operations.
The directive was issued by a bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih, who heard the matter earlier on April 29. The CEC, established by a Supreme Court order in May 2002, is tasked with monitoring the implementation of judicial directives related to environmental conservation, including encroachment removals, afforestation, and protection of wildlife habitats.
During the hearing, advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, representing the applicant, informed the court that the embankment had allegedly diverted the river's natural course from Haryana to Uttar Pradesh. He argued that this manipulation was intended to facilitate unchecked mining activities near the sanctuary.
Taking note of these serious allegations, the bench stated, “We, therefore, find that it would be appropriate that the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) examines the issues and submit its report.”
The court also instructed Bansal to serve a copy of the application to the legal representatives of the states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, allowing them to respond to the claims presented in the plea.
The matter has been listed for further hearing in the last week of May.
Located in the eastern region of Yamunanagar district, the Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary is a crucial ecological zone in Haryana and a protected area known for its biodiversity and forest cover.
