Hyderabad In a landmark ruling, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has declared the sand mining activities in the Manair River illegal, imposing hefty fines on the irrigation and mining departments.
This decision marks a significant victory for the ‘Save Manair’ Samithi, spearheaded by a techie, a retired librarian, and a village secretary from Peddapalli district. The NGT’s southern bench in Chennai directed the Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation (TSMDC) to pay Rs 25 crore each to the Department of Mines and Geology and the Department of Irrigation and Command Area Development. This compensation, to be paid within three months to the Godavari River Management Board, is intended to address the environmental damages caused by the unauthorised sand mining operations.
In its judgment, the NGT stated, “For the failure to uphold the principle of public trust doctrine, the departments are directed to pay Rs 25 crore each as interim environmental compensation.” The Tribunal further instructed the departments to collect royalty at market rates and take necessary measures to mitigate the environmental impact. The success of this legal battle is credited to G Suresh Reddy, a 47-year-old techie; A Karunakar Reddy, a 65-year-old retired librarian; and N Sadashiva Reddy, a 45-year-old village secretary. These individuals formed the ‘Manair Parirakshana Samithi’ with a mission to halt the illegal sand mining activities and launched a comprehensive campaign to protect the Manair River.
The samithi’s movement gained significant momentum, involving villagers and public representatives in raising awareness about the critical need to preserve the river. The campaign highlighted the detrimental effects of illegal sand mining, such as the depletion of the groundwater table and the adverse impact on irrigation facilities, which could severely affect agricultural activities in the region. Through persistent efforts, the activists distributed pamphlets across several villages, including Madaka, Pothkapalli, Indurthi, Kanagarthi, and Gumpula, educating the local populace about the environmental and agricultural repercussions of continued illegal mining. The samithi alleged that the government was indirectly supporting the sand mafia, exacerbating the situation.
Their grassroots initiative also garnered support from farmers, environmentalists, and the youth, creating a formidable coalition against the sand mafia. This broad-based support played a crucial role in amplifying their message and putting pressure on authorities to take action. The NGT’s ruling is not only a testament to the power of community activism but also a crucial step towards safeguarding the environment. The imposed fines and the directives for environmental compensation underscore the importance of adhering to environmental laws and regulations. The success of the ‘Save Manair’ Samithi serves as an inspiring example of how determined individuals can effect significant change, protecting natural resources and ensuring sustainable development for future generations.
