Uttarakhand HC Halts Mining in Bageshwar Over Safety and Environmental Concerns
Last Updated on January 9, 2025 by Athi Venkatesh
The Uttarakhand High Court on January 6, 2025, ordered an immediate suspension of all mining operations in Bageshwar district. The Division Bench, led by Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari, acted on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting illegal and unsafe mining practices.
The court expressed alarm after reviewing a report by Court Commissioners. The report revealed severe environmental and safety hazards, including damaged homes and impending landslides, caused by reckless mining. The photographs submitted in the report showed large crevasses and mining activities at the base of hillocks with homes located atop, posing a direct threat to lives.
The Bench criticized local authorities for allowing such activities, calling it “complete lawlessness.” It stated that further mining could result in “definite loss of lives.” Pending further review, the court ordered an immediate halt to all mining in the district.
The Amicus Curiae was instructed to identify and add leaseholders and responsible government officials as parties to the case. Senior officials, including the Director of Geology and Mining, the Secretary of Industrial Development, and the District Magistrate, must attend the next hearing on January 9, 2025.
The court also directed the Director of Geology and Mining to submit a compliance report at the next hearing.
Sajjan Lal Tamta vs. State of Uttarakhand & Others
