The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Rajasthan government over alleged rampant illegal sand mining inside the National Chambal Sanctuary, warning that continued extraction activities were posing a serious threat to fragile aquatic ecosystems and endangered wildlife, including the critically endangered gharial population.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Vijay Bishnoi directed several senior Rajasthan government officials to remain personally present before the Court on May 19 with individual affidavits detailing compliance with earlier directions issued on April 2.
The officials summoned include the Rajasthan Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and Principal Secretaries of the Mining, Finance, Forest, Environment and Transport & Road Safety Departments. The Court sought detailed explanations regarding steps taken to stop illegal mining and transportation activities inside the sanctuary area.
The National Chambal Sanctuary, spread across parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, is considered one of India’s most ecologically sensitive riverine habitats. The sanctuary is home to several endangered species, including gharials, Gangetic dolphins, turtles and migratory birds. Environmental groups and court-appointed agencies have repeatedly raised concerns that uncontrolled sand mining is damaging riverbeds, disturbing breeding grounds and threatening aquatic biodiversity.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court questioned how unregistered tractors and mining vehicles were continuing to operate openly in protected zones despite existing restrictions. The bench specifically sought an explanation from Rajasthan’s Transport & Road Safety Department regarding alleged violations of the Motor Vehicles Act, action taken against erring officials and measures adopted to stop illegal transport of mined sand.
The Court was hearing petitions linked to reports submitted by the Amicus Curiae and the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which highlighted continuing illegal mining activities inside the sanctuary despite earlier court directions. In its April 2 order, the apex court had already directed the governments of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, along with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to file responses on enforcement and conservation measures being implemented in the region.
The Supreme Court also impleaded the National Highways Authority of India and directed it to submit a detailed affidavit explaining measures being taken to protect bridge structures in areas affected by mining operations. The bench further questioned whether CCTV surveillance systems should be installed for real-time monitoring of mining and transport activities near sensitive river stretches.
Illegal sand mining has remained a major environmental and law enforcement concern across several Indian states, often linked to organised networks and weak regulatory enforcement. Experts warn that excessive extraction from riverbeds can alter water flow, weaken bridge foundations and accelerate habitat destruction for endangered aquatic species.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 19, when senior Rajasthan officials are expected to submit compliance reports before the apex court.