Illegal Sand Mining In National Chambal Sanctuary: Supreme Court Flags ‘Unbelievable’ Enforcement Gaps
Supreme Court flagged severe lapses in enforcement and compliance while hearing the Chambal illegal sand mining case and scheduled the matter for orders on May 14
Supreme Court directed Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to intensify crackdown on illegal sand mining in the Chambal Sanctuary with strict surveillance and enforcement measures
The Supreme Court on Monday heard a suo motu matter concerning large-scale illegal sand mining inside the National Chambal Sanctuary and the consequent threat to endangered aquatic species, including gharials.
The bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta examined compliance with earlier directions issued to curb illegal mining activity in the protected eco-sensitive zone.
During the hearing, counsel assisting the Court described the situation on the ground as deeply concerning, pointing to systemic enforcement failures. It was submitted that 16 vulnerable routes had been identified for illegal mining activity, yet no CCTV surveillance had been installed across these stretches. It was further highlighted that the last approved mining management plan for Rajasthan had expired in 2020, leaving a regulatory vacuum. The submission also noted that nearly 50% of sanctioned posts in the Forest Department were lying vacant, with operations being managed through home guards in several areas.
The amicus curiae apprised the Court of findings contained in the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report on compliance with judicial directions. The report, it was submitted, indicated widespread non-compliance, including the operation of vehicles without registration numbers in mining zones.
According to the amicus, the CEC had recommended GPS tracking for vehicles engaged in mining activities, but implementation remained absent on the ground.
Justice Sandeep Mehta expressed concern over the findings, questioning how tractors and other vehicles could be operating without registration in such sensitive areas, and remarked on what he termed a serious administrative lapse by the State of Rajasthan.
The amicus also submitted that while illegal sand mining was acknowledged in the report, enforcement action appeared limited largely to drivers and labourers, with the larger supply chain and responsible authorities remaining unidentified.
Observing the scale of non-compliance, the amicus stated that it was difficult to accept that authorities had been unable to identify key actors responsible for illegal operations over several years.
The Court took note of multiple recommendations made by the CEC and indicated that the matter would proceed to the stage of orders. The Bench directed that the case be listed for orders on Thursday, May 14.
Last month, the Court had issued a series of stringent directions to curb illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, warning that continued inaction by authorities could invite severe consequences, including deployment of central forces and a complete ban on mining activities. The bench had passed the order, observing that rampant illegal mining has triggered an “environmental crisis” and poses a grave threat to the fragile river ecosystem and wildlife, particularly the gharial conservation project.
On April 13, the Court had came down heavily on the States of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan over rampant illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, flagging serious threats to public safety and endangered wildlife. The Court had questioned the failure of State authorities to curb the activities of the sand mining mafia.
In earlier proceedings, the Supreme Court had also stayed a notification issued by the Rajasthan government de-notifying 732 hectares of the Chambal Sanctuary without prior approval, observing that the State could not have acted unilaterally.
In March, the Court had came down heavily on authorities in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh over continued illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, observing that officials may be held vicariously liable for destruction of protected wildlife habitats due to their “lethargy and inaction.”
Notably, on March 13, the Court had taken suo motu cognisance of alleged illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, expressing concern over the threat posed to endangered aquatic wildlife, particularly the critically endangered Gharial.
Case Title: In Re: Illegal Sand Mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and threat to endangered Aquatic Wildlife versus
Bench: Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta
Hearing Date: May 11, 2026