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The National Green Tribunal has ordered an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities in mining permissions near Rajasthan’s Sariska Tiger Reserve
July 3, 2026: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities in granting mining permissions near the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan’s Alwar district. Hearing a petition filed by Pawan Singh, the Central Zone Bench of the NGT observed that the matter raises substantial environmental concerns. The petition alleged discrepancies in official records regarding the distance of several mining lease areas from the protected forest, which reportedly influenced the approval of mining activities.
According to the petition, some mining leases that were earlier rejected or closed for not obtaining mandatory clearance from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) were later revived after a revised distance certificate claimed they were located beyond the 10-kilometre eco-sensitive zone around the sanctuary. The petitioner questioned the revised measurements, alleging that earlier government records had placed the mines within the restricted zone, and sought an independent investigation into the change.
The Tribunal directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Rajasthan, to conduct a detailed inquiry through senior officials to verify the actual distance of the mining sites from the Sariska protected area and examine whether environmental norms were violated. It also constituted a Joint Committee comprising representatives of the Chief Wildlife Warden, Alwar district administration, and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) to inspect the sites and submit a factual report within six weeks. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on September 1, 2026.