WP(C) 2145/2009 BEFORE HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. MADAN B. LOKUR HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE AK GOSWAMI This petition is taken up on the basis of a letter dated 18.5.2009 received by t his Court from the Hatimura Hill Protection Committee. The allegation made in the letter is that a lot of illegal mining activities wer e going on in the area. The illegal miners were quarrying for stone, using unsci entific method of blasting which in any case was not otherwise permissible. The respondents have filed an affidavit through Sri. Jorjes Ahmed, Divisional Fo rest Officer, North Kamrup Division to the effect that patrolling duties in the area have been beefed up for protection of the forest wealth. During the patroll ing duties, it was noticed that some illegal activities of stone quarrying is go ing on and the illegal miners were driven away and the tools left behind by them were collected and taken into custody. With regard to the blasting that was going on, it is stated that some permits we re issued and the blasting activities do not cause any threat to any of the vill agers in the surrounding area. The respondents have also filed an additional affidavit of the same deponent on 7.9.2009 to the effect that a permit for carrying out some mining activities was granted to Sri Dilip Kumar Kalita, but no extension was granted to him beyond 1 0.1.2009. It is further stated that pursuant to the order passed by this Court, necessary steps have been taken to see that no kind of mining or deforestation a ctivity is carried on by anyone and necessary directions have been issued to ens ure compliance with the orders of this Court, if necessary, by taking the assist ance of the local police for this purpose. Today, it is stated by learned State Counsel that no mining activity is going on in the Hatimura Hills within the Hajo Circle of Kamrup District. It is further stated that some mining activity is required to be carried out because of the ne cessity of utilizing the rocks/stones in the area, which are a good source of ea rning revenue for the government exchequer. It is submitted that this source has not been used in view of the interim orders passed by this Court and that if th e Government is allowed to exploit the rocks/stone in the area, which is far awa y from the human population, there will be no danger being caused to the village rs of the area. On the other hand, there will a possibility of employment of loc al youth. Taking the entire facts into consideration, we do not think it necessary to cont inue any further with this petition since it appears that no illegal activity is going on in the area. We however make it clear that the respondents may exploit the area in accordance with the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 and strictly adhere to the law in granting any lease or any other met hod of exploitation of the natural resources keeping in mind the impact on the e nvironment and the impact on the local villagers. The respondents will ensure th at no illegal mining or blasting activity is carried on in the area. With the above directions and observations, this petition is disposed of.