NGT stays desilting of Ravi in Gurdaspur villages

Jalandhar: The National Green Tribunal has stayed the desilting of the Ravi in Gurchak, Gunia and other villages of Gurdaspur district till the leave of the tribunal, even as the tender proceedings will proceed.The panchayat of Galhri village in Gurdaspur had moved NGT against the tender and auction notices issued on Dec 19, and Jan 2, 3 and 5 by the mines and geology wing of Punjab's water resources department for desilting and removal of riverbed material.
The bench of NGT chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel on Saturday ordered that the desilting would not be commence without the leave of the tribunal.The counsel for the applicant, advocate Nattasha Garg, submitted that since dredging and desilting was for commercial purpose, therefore, requisite environmental clearances were required before issuing the impugned auction notices.NGT order noted that the counsel produced a copy of the compliance report by way of affidavit filed by additional chief secretary, mines and geology, Punjab, which said: That, in compliance with the directions of this Hon'ble Tribunal, it is submitted that the state has enacted the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, Stockists and Retailers Act, 2025 and notified the Punjab State Minor Minerals (Amendment) Policy, 2025. This act and policy introduce a modern, technology-driven, accountable system for monitoring mining and crusher-related activities. These reforms represent a significant departure from the Mining Policy 2023, strengthening transparency, monitoring, and compliance. "The department of water resources, Punjab, has identified 85 de-silting sites in the state of which 36 de-silting sites comprising of 3,19,46,482 sq feet area and 25,55,05,547 cubic feet of material, are being auctioned. This de-silted material shall open one more legal source for sale and processing of minor minerals in the open market," the affidavit said.Referring to this affidavit, the counsel submitted that dredging and desilting was for commercial purpose. She referred to the volume of work and royalty amount mentioned therein in support of the plea that desilting was for commercial purpose.Counsel for the applicant submitted that the petitioner was a gram panchayat of Galhri village, which was located at the downstream and on account of impugned desilting work, lands of the villagers of the applicant and gram panchayat would be adversely affected.The NGT bench issued notice to the respondents, while posting the matter for May 14.