NGT directs Chamba authorities to act on woman’s illegal mining complaint

Acting on a letter petition by Kaichana Devi, a resident of Jatoli Jhikli village in Gangath tehsil of Kangra district, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed authorities in Chamba to investigate alleged illegal mining and take necessary action, provided the complainant submits the required details.

Kaichana Devi had written to the NGT alleging that when she visited her native village, Lodhwan, in Chamba district in 2024, she found that some individuals engaged in mining activities had encroached upon both government and private land, including her own, by digging a hill and building a road to move heavy machinery—all without her consent. She claimed that when she objected, she was told that “all departments are involved” and that no one could intervene.

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She alleged that the mining officer, SDM, and police were in collusion, issuing challans only as a formality.

“The attached picture shows the extent to which the hill has been hollowed out,” she wrote. “Himachal’s hills and forests are being destroyed in the name of levelling. My house is in danger and could collapse during rains,” she added.

The NGT, while acknowledging the seriousness of environmental violations, noted that the petition lacked specific details.

“The averments made in the letter petition are general and vague. The applicant has not provided the requisite particulars of her land from which mining was allegedly done,” it stated.

However, it instructed the Regional Officer of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB), Chamba, and the District Magistrate, Chamba, to take “preventive, punitive, prohibiting, and remedial action,” once the necessary information is submitted by the complainant.