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‘Utter failure’: Supreme Court raps Rajasthan over sand mining mafia in Gharial Sanctuary
The Supreme Court criticized Rajasthan for failing to curb illegal sand mining in the Gharial Sanctuary along the Chambal River, calling enforcement actions by Rajasthan and neighboring states 'on paper' and urging stronger measures, data reporting, and protection for forest staff. The court considered input from the CEC and amicus, revisited CCTV, GPS, and patrolling proposals from April 17, and noted significant gaps in inter-state enforcement across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Why It Matters
The case highlights gaps in wildlife protection, illegal mining control, and inter-state coordination, with potential implications for the gharial habitat and broader environmental enforcement in the region.
Timeline
4 Events
May 11, 2026: Matter posted for Thursday to pass additional directions
May 11, 2026
The court posted the matter for Thursday to pass additional directions. As a result, a further hearing was scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2026, to pass additional directives on enforcement and protection of the sanctuary.
May 11, 2026: Supreme Court observes steps are on paper; raps Rajasthan over sand mining mafia
May 11, 2026
The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said that steps to prevent illegal sand mining in the Chambal sanctuary were 'on paper' and that Rajasthan has been an 'utter failure' in combatting the mining mafia. The court noted gaps in enforcement actions proposed by the three states and asked for action taken reports, considering input from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and amicus curiae. Senior advocate Nikhil Goel highlighted that Rajasthan has no mining plan after 2020 and no eco-sensitive zone around the sanctuary, and questioned the use of unregistered tractors and non-functioning forest guards. The court emphasized the need for a dedicated task force and data on cases against wrongdoers over the past five years. The CEC report cited legal gaps and lack of protection for forest guards, and highlighted manpower shortages: the sanctuary requires about 339 forest guards to cover 1,695 sq km, while MP has 50 guards for 435 sq km and UP has 15 guards for 635 sq km.
April 17, 2026: Supreme Court last order in Chambal sanctuary case
April 17, 2026
The Supreme Court, in its last order on April 17, 2026, asked the three states — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh — to file action taken reports and posted the matter for Thursday to pass additional directions. It had proposed installing high-resolution, Wi-Fi-enabled CCTV cameras across strategic locations in the sanctuary and along vulnerable sections of the Chambal River as a pilot project, and directed GPS tracking in vehicles and equipment involved in mining in Morena (MP) and Dholpur (Rajasthan). The court also urged creating specialised patrolling teams equipped with modern arms, communication devices and protective gear, to confront armed mining groups. It warned that failure to act could trigger deployment of paramilitary forces or a ban on sand mining.
1978: Chambal wildlife sanctuary designated
1978
The area along the Chambal river spanning across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh was designated as a wildlife sanctuary.