The Gujarat High Court has issued firm directions to the State Government to immediately halt alleged illegal mining activities taking place in Amreli district. The order came while the Court was hearing a petition filed by local residents who complained that mining operations were being carried out despite clear prohibitions and the absence of mandatory environmental permissions.
According to the petitioners, one of the private operators had secured a land lease for mining purposes, but its request for environmental clearance had been expressly rejected by the authorities. Despite this denial, the company allegedly continued excavation work. The petitioners emphasized that operating a mine after refusal of environmental clearance is a serious statutory violation and poses grave risks to the environment and the surrounding communities.
The petitioners also pointed out that several other operators in the district had earlier obtained environmental clearance but were later restrained from carrying out blasting activities as part of a 2024 government order. Even after the ban, these operators were accused of continuing to engage in blasting and excavation, causing dust pollution, noise, and substantial ecological harm. Villagers reported deteriorating air quality, cracks in nearby homes, and increasing safety concerns owing to the unauthorised activities.
After considering these submissions, the High Court directed the State authorities to ensure that all illegal mining operations referred to in the petition are stopped without delay. The Court stressed that mining cannot be permitted when statutory conditions have been violated or when environmental safeguards are ignored. It remarked that regulatory bodies must maintain strict supervision over mining activities, particularly in areas where violations have repeatedly been alleged.
To strengthen oversight, the Court also ordered that the Gujarat Pollution Control Board be added as a respondent in the case so that environmental and pollution-related issues can be addressed comprehensively. All respondents, including the private mining entities and the concerned departments of the State Government, were instructed to file their replies within one week.
The matter has been listed for further hearing in January 2026. The Court’s intervention highlights increasing judicial attention toward illegal mining in environmentally sensitive regions. It also reinforces the principle that economic activities such as mining must comply with environmental norms, regulatory orders, and public-safety considerations.
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