NGT bans digging of earth across the country

About National Green Tribunal (NGT)

Established: October 18, 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
Aim: Effective and speedy disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The NGT is:

• Specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.
• Not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
• Mandated to make and endeavor for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned digging of earth across India for making bricks and roads without prior environment clearance. It directed the Chief Secretaries of all states and union territories to ensure that its interim order is implemented. The tribunal issued notice to Uttar Pradesh seeking its response on a plea to direct the state government to stop extraction of earth for making bricks and roads, allegedly going on in violation of a Supreme Court decision and directions of the Environment Ministry to all states. Around a month back, the National Green Tribunal banned sand mining from river beds, without environment clearance, across the country.