The National Green Tribunal has ordered the Director of Mines and Geology to stop mining activity by Sagar Cements Limited in 163.45 acres of forest land under Sulthanpur forest block near Peddaveedu village of Mattampally mandal in Nalgonda district.
The NGT, southern bench at Chennai, issued the directions on April 27 following a complaint lodged by a farmer, Narra Narasimha Rao, resident of Peddaveedu.
He had submitted the reports of Forest Department on the encroachment of forest land by Sagar Cements under survey numbers 540 and 540/A. He also submitted the Principal Chief Conservator order issued to Director of Mines and Geology, who was asked to stop the cement firm from doing illegal mining in the reserve forest land.
The NGT also asked the director to submit an action taken report during the next hearing slated for July 5. Mr. Rao had submitted survey reports of forest and other departments on the alleged encroachment of Sagar Cements and appealed to the NGT to issue directions to the authorities to stop the mining activity in reserve forest area and to stop loss to flora and fauna.
The tribunal said it accepted the application since they were convinced that the mining activity is connected to and concerned with the environment.
The Hindu carried an exclusive report on this issue in December last which the Forest Department later confirmed after conducting a survey.
