The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has stepped in to address serious environmental and legal violations allegedly committed by a stone crushing unit in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district. Acting on a formal complaint from the residents of Wire village in Tilli panchayat, the tribunal has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the operations of the Mahalaxmi Stone Crusher.
Villagers' Allegations of Rampant Violations
In their plea to the NGT, the villagers presented a litany of grievances against the stone crusher unit. They alleged that the plant has been functioning without a valid lease and conducting unscientific, illegal mining. The complaint detailed severe environmental damage, including pollution, destruction of water sources, and harm to local orchards and trees. Furthermore, the villagers accused the unit of damaging village roads and blatantly violating prior agreements and government directives.
The situation reportedly turned violent on multiple occasions. The villagers claimed that men associated with the crusher owner assaulted local residents. Despite previous shutdown orders from the state mining department, the unit continues to operate illegally. Shockingly, the complaint noted that even after the owner paid a fine of Rs 50,000 and apologized for past violations, the unlawful activities persisted without any check.
NGT's Swift Action and Committee Formation
The principal bench of the NGT, comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Afroz Ahmad, took cognizance of the matter on December 4. The bench issued formal notices to several key parties, giving them time to respond. The respondents include:
- The Himachal Pradesh government's Principal Secretary (Environment, Forest and Climate Change)
- The District Magistrate of Mandi
- The Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board (HPPCB)
- The Mahalaxmi Stone Crusher unit itself
All parties have been directed to submit their responses by February 6, 2026.
In a significant move to ascertain the facts on the ground, the NGT constituted a joint committee. This committee includes representatives from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the HPPCB, and the District Magistrate of Mandi. The HPPCB will act as the nodal agency for coordination.
Committee's Mandate and Timeline
The tribunal has given the joint committee a strict and urgent timeline. The committee has been instructed to:
- Conduct a physical inspection of the site within two weeks.
- Engage with the complaining villagers and the project proponent (the crusher owner).
- Take necessary remedial action in accordance with the law.
- Submit a detailed report to the NGT within one month of the order.
This directive underscores the NGT's commitment to a swift and evidence-based resolution. The site inspection and interaction with stakeholders are crucial steps to independently verify the allegations of illegal mining, environmental degradation, and public harassment before the next hearing.
