NOIDA: The National Green Tribunal on Monday directed police departments of Haryana and UP to halt illegal sand mining activities on the Faridabad-Noida border adjoining Noida in Gautam Budh Nagar district. The tribunal has also issued notice to the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) of Haryana in the case in which it has been alleged that sand mined illegally from Haryana is being sold in Gautam Budh Nagar.

Officials of both UP and Haryana, including the deputy commissioners and SPs of Faridabad and Gautam Budh Nagar, have been asked to take steps to ensure that there is no illegal sand mining and its sale in these areas.

The directions were issued on a petition filed by an NGO, Noida Lok Manch. The NGO has alleged that sand is being mined illegally from land measuring around 4,700 acres near Tilpat village in Faridabad. The land, which belongs to the IAF, had earlier been used as an air-bombing range. The tribunal has also directed the Union environment ministry to submit its reply by December 3.