File reply to PIL on mining in Beki: HC to Assam & Centre

Guwahati: Gauhati high court has issued notice to central govt and state govt directing them to respond to a PIL over uncontrolled mining activities in the Beki river leading to severe bank erosion, posing a direct threat to nearby villages.
The Beki river flows from Bhutan and passes through the ecologically-sensitive Manas National Park in Assam.
The bench of Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury was hearing a PIL filed by Biploab Ray and two others over the issue.
The petitioners stated that because of degradation of the river eco-system as a result of indiscriminate sand extraction, harm has been caused to the environment, including lowering of river bed, destabilisation of banks, groundwater disruption, increased flood risk and damage to biodiversity.
Petitioners’ advocates JI Borbhuiya has pointed out that the mining contract was bagged by one Palash Das, who appears to have obtained necessary environment clearance only mechanically. “There has been no field verification for assessment of environment or human safety impacts,” he added.
“Though environmental clearance was given to Palash, the necessary pre-requisites and duty of the contractor in maintaining safety zones, protecting the hydro-geological regime and adopting safeguards are not being followed,” he said.
The advocate added that the representations of the petitioners before the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority yielded no result.
After hearing the PIL, the court issued notices to central govt, state govt, state forest department and Assam Pollution Control Board. They have been directed to file affidavits in response to the petition by July 20.