‘Lethargic’ officials who left Chambal sanctuary to the mercy of sand miners will be held liable: SC
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Species, protected areas & wetlands· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Supreme Court ruled that state officials from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh will be held vicariously liable for allowing sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary.
Background
The Supreme Court initiated a suo motu case regarding the destruction of wildlife habitats in the National Chambal Sanctuary. The sanctuary is shared by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh and houses endangered species like gharials and turtles.
Facts for Prelims
- PlaceNational Chambal Sanctuary: Located across the jurisdictions of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh
- EnvironmentEndangered species in Chambal Sanctuary: Gharials and turtles
- BodyMinistry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Notified by the Supreme Court regarding sanctuary protection
- FactLegal principle: State officials held vicariously liable for aiding and abetting the destruction of protected wildlife habitats
For Mains
Q. Examine the legal and administrative challenges in curbing illegal sand mining in ecologically sensitive zones across state boundaries.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Jurisdictional friction: Coordination gaps between Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh in managing shared ecological zones
- Accountability deficit: Lack of vicarious liability for officials facilitating illegal resource extraction in protected areas
Keywords: Vicarious liability · Ecologically sensitive zones · Inter-state cooperation · Wildlife habitat protection · Suo motu action
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.