The Chambal National Sanctuary is located in the great arc of the Chambal River and covers nearly 1,800 km across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. File | Photo credit: AP
The Supreme Court on Friday (March 20, 2026) held that state officials who, through their “lethargy and inaction” allowed sand mining to flourish in the fragile lotic ecosystem of the National Chambal Sanctuary, will be vicariously liable for aiding and abetting.
In a suo motu case, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta reminded Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, in whose triple junction the sanctuary is located, that any act of destruction of wildlife habitat in the protected area would attract offenses and punishments under several laws, including the Wildlife Conservation Act, Wildlife Conservation Act 197 of 1986.
The Chambal Sanctuary is the home and breeding ground of the critically endangered fish-eating gharials or crocodiles. Apart from Gharials, the sanctuary hosts a rich biodiversity of mud crocodiles, several species of freshwater turtles, including the endangered red-necked turtle, smooth-eared otter, river dolphins, Indian skimmers, black-bellied kingfisher, Sarus crane and black-necked stork.
The Chambal National Sanctuary is located in the great arc of the Chambal River and covers nearly 1,800 km across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is the first and only tri-state riverine protected area in India. About 600 of the 960 km stretch of the Chambal River has been declared as Chambal National Sanctuary by the three states under their territorial jurisdiction. The Chambal Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was announced on 20 December 1978.
“Officials of the concerned departments, i.e. Forest, Mining and Water Resources, as well as the police authorities of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, by their lethargy and inaction, could be vicariously responsible for aiding and abetting the destruction of these precious habitats by allowing illegal sand mining to continue.
The court directed the registry to seek and issue notices to the three states through their principal secretaries of the ministries of mines and geology, forests and water resources; and their Director Generals of Police.
The court also issued a notice to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, besides appointing senior advocate Nikhil Goel and advocate Rupali Samuel as amici curiae in the case. She scheduled the next meeting for April 2, 2026.
Published – 20 March 2026 21:54 IST
