Mandate for stringent inter-state surveillance, personnel recruitment, and immediate vehicle confiscation to curb illegal sand mining.

The Supreme Court initiated this Suo Moto proceeding to address rampant illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS), affecting endangered species like gharials and dolphins

In previous orders (April 2026), the Court directed the States of Madhya Pradesh (MP), Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh (UP) to implement surveillance and enforcement measures

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) reported that while MP and UP had begun compliance, Rajasthan displayed "administrative apathy"

The CEC highlighted illegal excavation threatening the NH-44 bridge pillars near the Morena-Dholpur border and the operation of numerous unregistered vehicles

The case came up on May 20, 2026, to review fresh compliance affidavits from the States and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

1. Whether the enforcement and surveillance measures initiated by the States are sufficient and timely enough to curb ecological degradation

2. Whether the continued operation of unregistered vehicles in the NCS area constitutes a failure of the regulatory framework under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

3. Whether the NHAI and State authorities are obligated to take proactive measures to safeguard public infrastructure (the NH-44 bridge) from illegal mining

4. Whether the reduction of summer flows (E-Flows) and proposed de-notification of Sanctuary land violate environmental safeguards

The Court relied on the constitutional mandate under Article 21 (Right to Life including a clean environment), Article 48A (Protection and improvement of environment), and Article 51A(g) (Fundamental duty to protect the natural environment)

It applied the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 regarding the mandatory registration and seizure of offending vehicles

The Court invoked Section 18 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 regarding the de-notification of sanctuaries

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (specifically Section 218(3)) to examine protections for frontline forest staff

The Court exercised its plenary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to issue mandatory directions for administrative and ecological remediation

The Court observed that while the States had finally initiated financial sanctions and CCTV tenders, the proposed timelines (18–36 months) were unacceptable given the "emergent nature" of ecological destruction

It criticized the "apathetic administrative tendency" of acting only under judicial threat

Regarding unregistered vehicles, the Court found the mere imposition of nominal fines ineffective, noting that such vehicles facilitate "organized environmental crime" by evading accountability

Analysing the NHAI’s stance, the Court rejected the notion that NHAI’s role is limited to maintenance within the 'Right of Way'; it ruled that statutory authorities must proactively address external threats like riverbed mining that compromise bridge stability and public safety

The Court linked the lack of "frontline personnel" (Forest Guards) to the "institutional paralysis" on the ground, holding that technological surveillance cannot substitute for human enforcement

States must operationalize CCTV and integrated monitoring within six months

Mandatory seizure and confiscation of all vehicles without valid registration or number plates involved in mining

NHAI must install high-resolution night-vision CCTVs and tamper-proof fencing on the NH-44 bridge to prevent mining and waste dumping

Ministry of Jal Shakti and States must file affidavits on maintaining minimum environmental flows in the Chambal River

The Court stayed the de-notification of sanctuary land and issued notice on the welfare of forest staff

The matter is listed for review on July 22, 2026