Supreme Court Stays Rajasthan De-Notification In Chambal Illegal Sand Mining Case

The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a suo motu matter concerning large-scale illegal mining activities affecting the fragile ecosystem of the Chambal river, particularly the endangered gharial habitat.

In a significant interim direction, the Court stayed a December 23, 2025 notification issued by the State of Rajasthan under Section 18 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which sought to de-notify certain protected areas within the sanctuary.

“The de-notification is a serious issue. They could not have done it on their own. It’s illegal. The State is in hot waters, hot waters of Chambal,” the Bench remarked, expressing strong disapproval of the State’s actions.

The Court highlighted the ecological urgency, noting that gharials are “on the verge of extinction,” and warned against any dilution of protections for reserved lands meant for endangered species.

The Amicus Curiae informed the Court that a joint committee report filed earlier had identified specific GPS coordinates in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan where illegal sand mining was actively taking place as far back as 2022. The report had been submitted before the National Green Tribunal, but the States had failed to take adequate action.

The Court directed the States to clarify the steps taken pursuant to that report.

Highlighting regulatory gaps, the Amicus pointed out that Rajasthan had yet to notify eco-sensitive zones for the sanctuary, despite it spanning 12 districts. It was also submitted that Madhya Pradesh had earlier attempted to de-notify land but later withdrew the proposal.

The Bench took serious note of visual evidence of mining operations. “There are videos that are literally terrifying. Animals are moving around while earthmovers are extracting sand from the river, passing through police stations and mining outposts,” the Court observed.

The Amicus further highlighted the scale of lawlessness, stating that those involved in illegal mining were often better armed than enforcement authorities. The Court acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting that several officials, including SDMs, police personnel and forest officers, had lost their lives in clashes with mining mafias, particularly in Rajasthan.

Reacting sharply, the Bench said, “State governments have completely forgotten that there is a law called preventive detention,” recalling a past instance in Jaisalmer where similar lawlessness was curbed only after preventive detention measures were invoked.

When counsel for Uttar Pradesh claimed that no mining was taking place in the State, the Court rejected the assertion, pointing out that illegally mined sand from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh was ultimately transported and consumed in Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing the counsel for Madhya Pradesh, the Court remarked, “It is an extremely sad state of affairs that a State government says it cannot defend its natural resources. What follows is absolute anarchy.”

In its order, the Court directed all concerned States: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, to file detailed responses within four weeks. While Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have already submitted affidavits, time was granted to Madhya Pradesh to do so.

The Court also directed the Additional Solicitor General to obtain instructions from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and file an affidavit. Further, the National Board for Wildlife has been impleaded as a respondent, with notice returnable by May 11.

Significantly, the Court transferred to itself the proceedings pending before the National Green Tribunal in Original Application No. 248/2022, consolidating oversight of the issue.

The matter will now be taken up for further hearing on May 11.

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.” The Bench had indicated that comprehensive and stringent directions would be issued after examining the responses of all stakeholders.

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. The bench had noted reports indicating that rampant mining activities were taking place in areas earmarked for the preservation of gharials.