Villagers demand enforcement of NGT mining order

Jaipur: Around 300 villagers from Jodhpura and nearby areas in Kotputli-Behror, Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts gathered outside the Kotputli collectorate Monday to demand implementation of a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order related to mining activities near their settlement.The protest coincided with Shaheed Diwas, observed on March 23 to commemorate freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru. A representative of the villagers said, "The NGT in its order dated Nov 3, 2025, directed authorities to ensure that blasting does not take place within a 500-metre radius of houses, temples, schools and other structures. These orders are not being followed."Kailash Chand Yadhav, secretary of Jodhpura Sangharsh Samiti, said the villagers approached the NGT in May 2024 citing environmental damage and health issues due to mining operations and stone crushing activities near the village. "Our struggle of more than 1,200 days finally saw hope after the NGT order. However, even after more than four months, mining, blasting and crushing activities are continuing close to the habitation," Yadhav said, alleging that blasting was still being carried out close to the village.Villagers also raised concerns over noise, dust and truck movement through the settlement. Lalita Devi, a member of the samiti, said excessive light and noise from nearby industrial operations and the movement of overloaded trucks were affecting residents and posing risks to children near the village school.Activists said a meeting of the State Level Environmental Monitoring and Response Committee was held in Jaipur in Feb to review the situation. According to them, authorities decided that the district administration would form a committee comprising officials from revenue, mines, pollution control and other departments to assess rehabilitation options for affected residents.Prabhu Dayal, a member of the samiti, said villagers demanded representation in the proposed district-level committee and sought relocation outside the mining lease area. He alleged that earlier rehabilitation of residents from Mohanpura village within a mining lease area exposed them to continued dust and blasting impacts.