Midnight mining video raises questions over enforcement:Illegal sand extraction continues in sanctuary despite Supreme Court directions

A fresh video allegedly showing illegal sand mining in the Chambal River in Morena district has surfaced. The footage is said to have been recorded at around 12:59 am on the night of 2-3 June at Khurd Ghat in the Mahua police station area. The video shows a loader extracting sand from the riverbed and loading it into tractor-trolleys. The person who recorded the footage also included a visible date and time stamp. Authorities launch probe after video surfaces The video has triggered concern among the relevant departments. According to Shyam Singh Chauhan, Superintendent of the Deori Gharial Sanctuary, the department has received both the video and reports of illegal mining. A joint team of Forest Department officials and Mahua Police personnel has been sent to investigate the matter. Officials said the authenticity of the video is being verified and action will be taken against those found responsible in accordance with the law. Supreme Court had already ordered action against illegal mining The development is significant because the Supreme Court has previously taken a strict stance on illegal sand mining in the Chambal Sanctuary region. The Court had directed the Madhya Pradesh government and local authorities to enforce an effective ban on illegal mining activities within the sanctuary area. Despite these directions, complaints of illegal mining continue to emerge, raising questions about the effectiveness of monitoring and enforcement measures. Authorities said further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. Supreme Court had rebuked MP, UP and Rajasthan governments The Supreme Court had earlier criticised the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh over illegal sand mining and the operation of unregistered vehicles in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary. The Court observed that the measures taken by the states to curb illegal mining remained inadequate. It also noted that vehicles without number plates were openly transporting sand. The Court directed the states to develop a monitoring mechanism within six months, install CCTV cameras and seize vehicles involved in illegal mining operations. Court described it as an ‘organised illegal mining network’ During a hearing on 20 May, the Supreme Court used the term “organised illegal mining network”, indicating that the issue was not merely small-scale illegal extraction but a coordinated operation posing serious threats to the environment, wildlife and law and order. The Court further stated that environmental protection cannot be reduced to a formality carried out under judicial pressure and emphasised that safeguarding natural resources is a constitutional responsibility of the states.