NEW DELHI — Expressing grave concern over the destruction of critical wildlife habitats, the Supreme Court of India on Friday, March 13, 2026, took suo motu cognisance of rampant illegal sand mining within the National Chambal Sanctuary. A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta noted that these activities pose a direct threat to the survival of endangered aquatic species, most notably the Gharial (long-snouted crocodile).
The Court’s intervention follows recent media reports highlighting the unchecked scale of mining in the tri-state eco-reserve. The Bench observed that the illegal extraction of sand is forcing endangered gharials to relocate from their natural breeding grounds, effectively sabotaging state-led conservation efforts.
Threat to Endangered ‘Gharials’
The sanctuary, which spans 5,400 sq km across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, is the primary site for the Gharial species preservation programme. The Bench noted with concern that even specific areas where Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had released 10 gharials in February 2025 have now fallen under the control of mining mafias.
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Habitat Destruction: Sand mining disrupts the riverbed, which is essential for the nesting and basking of gharials and turtles.
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Biodiversity at Risk: Beyond the gharial, the sanctuary serves as a vital refuge for the red-crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganges river dolphin.
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Judicial Action: The Bench has ordered the registry to place the matter before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) for the issuance of necessary directions and the possible formation of a dedicated monitoring committee.
The National Chambal Sanctuary: A Fragile Eco-Reserve
First declared a protected area in 1978, the sanctuary is co-administered by three states and constitutes a narrow but ecologically rich corridor along the Chambal River. Despite its “protected” status, the region has long been a flashpoint for illegal sand mining due to high demand in the construction sector.
The Supreme Court’s decision to take up the matter on its own motion signals a likely crackdown on local administrative lapses and a potential push for a more unified security framework across the three bordering states to safeguard this unique biodiversity hotspot.
