NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal today directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to ensure that no sand mining is permitted in the name of dredging of Yamuna at Wazirabad and Jagatpur bund areas here.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swantanter Kumar also directed Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to take samples of the dredged material and report to the tribunal. Dredging is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of rivers and other water bodies.

The matter is listed for next hearing on November 13. "The Delhi Jal Board shall ensure that no sand mining is permitted in the name of dredging of river.

"We also direct the DPCC and CPCB to take sample of the sand/dredged material that is being carried by the persons upon whom the contract has been placed. It shall be reported to the Tribunal whether the material in the truck is sand or silt," the bench said.

The order came on a petition by Rahul Nagar seeking to initiate contempt proceedings for non-compliance of its order to stop illegal mining being carried out in Yamuna river bed.

The Tribunal had on September 1 directed the Delhi government to stop illegal mining being carried out without requisite environmental clearance at Wazirabad and Jagatpur bund.

"Illegal mining is not only in contravention of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, but also of order and directions of the Supreme Court and directions of National Green Tribunal," Nagar had said in his plea.

The petitioner claimed that the sand mining mafia had begun to trespass private agricultural fields located near flood plains even though such activity, without any environmental clearance, is banned.

Alleging that "illegal sand mining continues unabated under the nose of the government officials", the plea said the Irrigation and Flood Control Department in the national capital has also issued various letters to Delhi Police requesting action against the sand mafia.

"There is an increased necessity of studying the impact of sand mining, the deterioration caused and remedial measures. Illegal sand mining has already led to devastating consequences in the region. It has changed river hydrology and affected the groundwater," the petition had said.