As a welcome measure to redress the environmental issue, the Madras High Court has constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe illegal sand mining around Tamil Nadu's reserve forests. The prima facie feeling of the court was on account of grave concern for ecological damage owing to unauthorized extraction of sands and much more stringent enforcement of environmental laws.Case Summary The case before the Madras High Court was filed through Public Interest Litigation by an environmental activist. The PIL alleged that massive illegal sand mining is going on alongside reserve forests in riverbeds and ecologically sensitive zones, mainly. Such activities, said the petitioner, besides depleting natural resources also pose threats to wildlife habitats as well as disruptions in local ecosystems. The petition also alleged that the authorities had not acted sufficiently to curb the illegal mining, and in some cases, even became an abettor. Observations by the Court A bench comprising Chief Justice S.V. Gangapurwala and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu took a very serious note of the allegations made and noted that: Environmental Degradation: The court referred to the irrevocable damage done to rivers, forests, and biodiversity by the illegal mining. Lax Enforcement: The court condemned that there was no adequate step from the officials to curb such activity. Accountability: The bench felt that due to lax enforcement and corruption, illegal sand mining thrives and directed immediate accountability from the officials. Formation of SIT The court passed an order to form an SIT consisting of officials from the police, forest department, and geological experts to deal with the issue in its entirety. Key directions for the SIT are: Identifying illegal sand mines sites through site visits Investigating the involvement of local officials and other interested parties. Making recommendations to prevent future illegal sand mining. Filing the findings report in court within a specified time frame. Consequences of Illegal Sand Mining Illegal sand mining has brought many severe consequences, the Court reported including, Drying up Rivers: Over-extraction of the sand lowers the water levels and affects the natural river flows. Loss of Habitat: Reserve forests and wildlife habitats are most affected by the ecological imbalance that develops through mining. Impact on Community: Rivers and forests upon which local communities depend for living are highly dislocated. The Way Ahead The court asked the state government to utilize technology such as GPS tracking and drone surveillance to strengthen the monitoring mechanism. The court also demanded a heavy penalty for the offender and suggested the implementation of more stringent licensing procedures to regulate the sand mining business. Conclusion The proactive step shown by the Madras High Court gives a reflection about the commitment the court has on the protection of the environment and natural resources within Tamil Nadu. Constitute SIT to enable accountability in balancing the ecological disturbance in areas adversely affected by unlawful sand mining within the country.