Inaccessible Action: High Court Reviews Territorial Army's Role in Ganga Conservation

The Uttarakhand High Court has been apprised that the 27 Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army, despite its dedication to environmental protection and water conservation, has no legal remit to address illegal mining threatening the Ganga. This clarification was provided by the battalion's legal cell during a hearing on June 18.

The division bench, comprising Justice Ravindra Maithani and Justice Pankaj Purohit, is handling a PIL filed by Matri Sadan Ashram and others, alleging unauthorized quarrying between Raiwala and Bhogpur is endangering the river. Despite the battalion's environmental initiatives, it communicated that stopping illegal mining activities falls outside its jurisdiction.

A senior battalion officer is slated to give further insights into the issue, with a detailed presentation scheduled for the next hearing on June 23. Meanwhile, the petitioners stress on repeated failures by state authorities to halt mining activities despite directives from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).

(With inputs from agencies.)