Uttarakhand High Court Seeks Answers on Illegal Mining in Ganga Riverbed, Haridwar

The Uttarakhand High Court has taken serious note of the alleged illegal mining activities taking place along the banks of the Ganga river, particularly from Raiwala to Bhogpur and within the Kumbh Mela zone in Haridwar. Acting on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Matri Sadan, Haridwar, the division bench of Justice Ravindra Maithani and Justice Pankaj Purohit has scheduled the next hearing on Monday, June 23.

The petition highlights violations of earlier court and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) directives, particularly a 2017 order that led to the closure of 48 stone crushers operating in the Haridwar region. Although these crushers were initially shut down as per court orders, Matri Sadan has alleged that they were reopened without seeking the court’s permission.

Stone Crusher Owners Seek Inclusion in the Case

During Wednesday’s hearing, three stone crusher owners submitted applications seeking to be made parties to the proceedings. The court, while acknowledging their requests, reiterated the environmental guideline mandating a minimum five-kilometer distance from the Ganga river for the establishment of stone crushers. The bench emphasized that no industrial unit can be shut down without due process, including prior notice, which will be further deliberated upon during the next hearing.

Army Legal Cell’s Response

The Indian Army’s legal cell also presented its position in court, stating that while one of its battalions is actively engaged in the protection of the environment and water sources, enforcing laws or halting illegal mining activities is beyond its jurisdiction and must be handled by civilian law enforcement.

Ganga’s Existence Under Threat

According to Matri Sadan, illegal mining continues unabated in Haridwar’s riverbeds, including now even in the Kumbh Mela area, posing a serious threat to the existence of the Ganga river. The petition warns that the unchecked mining operations are undermining the objectives of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

Matri Sadan informed the court that the NMCG has issued multiple directives to the state government to immediately stop mining in the identified regions. However, these directives have allegedly been ignored, leading to a violation not only of national environmental mandates but also of India’s international commitments, including those made in response to UN directives aimed at river conservation.

What’s Next?

The High Court will now hear the matter further on June 23, 2025, when it is expected to take up the legal responsibilities of both government agencies and private operators in preventing the degradation of the river.

This case adds to growing concerns over riverbed mining across the country and is being closely monitored by environmental groups and civil society organisations.