Supreme Court Directs States to Curb Illegal Mining in Chambal Sanctuary

Hindustan Times - India · 21 May 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Polity Mains · GS2 Governance High relevance

The Supreme Court urged Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to attach properties of illegal sand miners in the National Chambal Sanctuary, emphasizing the need to target the kingpins behind the crime to effectively curb the illegal trade.

Key points

National Chambal Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary established in 1978 along the Chambal River, spanning Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, and is home to the largest population of gharials.

The Supreme Court highlighted the failure of Rajasthan to notify Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) or declare the sanctuary area as 'forest', leaving it vulnerable to rampant illegal mining.

The court stressed the need to attach properties of illegal miners under Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which allows confiscation of criminal proceeds.

Rajasthan reported registering 625 FIRs and arresting over 600 persons, but the court noted most were low-level workers, urging action against the 'kingpins' orchestrating the mining.

[GS3-Environment] Illegal sand mining in the Chambal Sanctuary threatens biodiversity, including endangered species like gharials, and disrupts river ecosystems, linking to environmental governance challenges.

The court directed the installation of GPS systems and CCTVs in mining-prone districts (Dholpur and Morena) to monitor illegal activities, with Rajasthan allocating ₹65.47 crores for technological surveillance.

Rajasthan's delay in recruiting forest guards was criticized, with the court directing the State Selection Board (SSB) to prioritize filling these vacancies to strengthen enforcement.

[GS2-Governance] The case underscores systemic failures in inter-state coordination and enforcement, reflecting broader challenges in environmental governance and rule of law.

Way Forward: States must expedite ESZ notifications, enhance inter-state cooperation, and adopt real-time monitoring technologies like GPS and CCTVs. Strengthening forest guard recruitment and enforcing property confiscation laws will deter kingpins.

Key terms

National Chambal Sanctuary

A protected area along the Chambal River, established in 1978, spanning Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. It is critical for conserving endangered species like gharials and serves as a biodiversity hotspot. UPSC relevance lies in its intersection of environmental conservation, federal governance, and illegal resource extraction.

Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ)

Areas notified under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, to regulate industrial and developmental activities around protected areas. ESZs balance ecological conservation and sustainable development. For UPSC, this concept is vital for questions on environmental policy, federal-state coordination, and judicial interventions in governance.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)

A criminal procedural law replacing the CrPC, 1973. Section 107 allows confiscation of properties acquired through criminal activities. UPSC relevance includes judicial reforms, asset forfeiture as a deterrent, and its application in environmental crimes.

Suo Motu Case

A legal proceeding initiated by the court on its own motion, without a formal petition. This judicial tool is significant for UPSC as it reflects the judiciary's proactive role in addressing public interest issues, particularly in environmental and governance failures.