Territorial Army Clarifies Its Role in Addressing Illegal Mining in the Ganga River
The Uttarakhand High Court has received clarification that the 27 Infantry Battalion, ECO, Garhwal Rifles of the Territorial Army lacks the authority to take legal action against illegal mining in the Ganga river area. This information was provided in response to a court inquiry during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing extensive mining between Raiwala and Bhogpur.
The division bench comprising Justice Ravindra Maithani and Justice Pankaj Purohit heard the PIL filed by Matri Sadan, an ashram engaged in environmental advocacy, along with others. The petition claims that illegal mining poses a threat to the ecological balance of the Ganga, continuing despite repeated directives from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) directed at the state government.
At a previous hearing, the court sought to determine whether the 27 Infantry Battalion could assist in halting the illegal mining activities. Captain Raghav from the battalion’s legal cell appeared via video conferencing and indicated that he would return with a definitive stance on the issue.
On June 18, the Territorial Army’s legal cell clarified that while the battalion supports environmental and water conservation efforts, it lacks the legal mandate to initiate or enforce actions against illegal mining. Such responsibilities, they stated, lie with the civil administration and law enforcement agencies.
A senior officer from the battalion is expected to provide a comprehensive briefing through a formal presentation at the next PIL hearing, set for June 23.
The petitioners have called for a complete prohibition on mining activities in that section of the river, pointing to breaches of environmental laws and threats to the river’s ecosystem. They also expressed concerns about inadequate enforcement despite the establishment of the NMCG Board by the central government to protect and rejuvenate the Ganga.
This case highlights the persistent issue of illegal mining in ecologically sensitive areas and the challenges faced by various entities, including the Territorial Army, in addressing this problem.
