NGT Orders Immediate Halt to Illegal Yamuna Mining, Launches Urgent Probe

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered an urgent inquiry into allegations of illegal sand mining in the Yamuna riverbed in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district.
• Authorities are directed to ensure that no illegal mining activity continues in the meantime.
• The order follows a plea by Dr Amit Kumar, alleging large-scale mining without mandatory environmental clearance in villages Nai Nangla and Manglaura.
• A joint committee comprising CPCB, MoEF&CC Lucknow, and Shamli District Magistrate will visit the site to assess damage and suggest measures.
• The committee must complete its exercise within three weeks and file a status report; the next hearing is on July 3.