Gujarat High Court Orders Immediate Halt to Illegal Mining Activities in Amreli District

Court Directs State Authorities and Pollution Board to Enforce Environmental Norms and Address Public Concerns

The Gujarat High Court, in a significant ruling on December 8, 2025, has directed state authorities to take immediate action against ongoing illegal mining activities in the Amreli district. This order came in response to a petition filed by Vikram Vihabhai Sankhat and others, highlighting severe environmental concerns due to illegal mining operations conducted by private respondents without requisite environmental clearances.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Mrs. Sunita Agarwal and Justice D.N. Ray, underscored the importance of adhering to environmental laws and regulations. The petitioners argued that despite the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) denying environmental clearance to one of the private respondents, mining activities continued unabated, violating the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006.

The court noted that the mining activities persisted in defiance of an order passed by the District Geologist, which had explicitly prohibited blasting activities. However, the respondents allegedly continued their operations, leading to environmental degradation and public outcry from local villagers.

In light of these violations, the High Court granted permission to include the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) as a respondent in the case, emphasizing its role in addressing the environmental pollution resulting from the illegal mining activities. The court instructed the GPCB to actively participate and ensure compliance with environmental norms.

The court further directed the respondent authorities to issue notices to the involved parties and take swift measures to halt any illegal mining activities until the matter is conclusively resolved. The next hearing is scheduled for January 12, 2026, by which time all respondents are required to submit their affidavits.

This ruling reinforces the Gujarat High Court's commitment to environmental protection and regulatory compliance, serving as a critical reminder of the judiciary's role in upholding environmental justice. The case also references the Supreme Court's judgment in "Common Cause v. Union of India," mandating compensation for illegal mining, thereby setting a precedent for stringent enforcement of environmental laws.

Bottom Line:

Environmental Law - Illegal mining activities by private respondents without proper environmental clearance - Appropriate measures to be taken by the authorities to stop such activities and ensure compliance with environmental norms and regulations.

Statutory provision(s): Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 2006, Common Cause v. Union of India judgment, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Office Memorandum dated 30.05.2018

Vikram Vihabhai Sankhat v. State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, (Gujarat)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2819724