NGT raps Uttarakhand for delay on illegal stone crusher in Shivalik corridor | India News
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**Rephrased Title** "NGT Slams Uttarakhand for Delay in Addressing Illegal Stone Crusher Threatening Shivalik Corridor and Song River Ecosystem" **Rephrased Article** Dehradun: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has reprimanded the Uttarakhand government for its slow response to the alleged operation of an illegal stone crusher inside the Shivalik Elephant Reserve and within the active floodplain of the Song River in Dehradun. The issue was raised during a hearing on November 20, where the tribunal expressed dissatisfaction with the state's response, citing concerns about the ecological impact on elephant corridors and the risk posed by the crusher's location in an active flood zone. According to advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, who represented the petitioner Parmjeet Singh, the stone crusher is operating in a sensitive area, narrowing wildlife pathways and destabilizing the natural habitat. The Shivalik Elephant Reserve spans 5,405 sq km in eight districts, connecting the western Rajaji Tiger Reserve with the eastern part of the reserve across the Ganga. The NGT imposed a cost of ₹50,000 on the Uttarakhand government, to be deposited with the NGT Bar Association for library and infrastructure development. The tribunal also directed the Member Secretary of the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board to file a personal affidavit within three weeks, addressing whether the Board considers elephant corridors and wildlife impacts when issuing environmental clearances. The case will be heard next on February 5, 2026. In a related development, the Uttarakhand high court had earlier directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the State forest department to consult the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, to devise ways to save the maximum number of trees in the Shivalik Elephant Reserve by transplanting them to nearby forest areas where the road project is proposed. The proposed widening of a four-lane road between Bhaniyawala in Dehradun and Rishikesh would require the felling of over 3,300 trees in the reserve, raising concerns about the impact on the elephant habitat. Uttarakhand is home to over 2,000 elephants, according to the last elephant census, highlighting the importance of protecting the Shivalik Elephant Reserve and its ecosystem.
