Illegal Mining as Environmental Crime in India: A Green Criminological Perspective

Illegal mining has a detrimental effect on environment; it also effected not only the humans but non-humans too. As illegal mining is the causes of deforestation and biodiversity loss. It also results in the forced relocation of tribal communities. In the year of 2026, 409 cases relating to illegal mining were registered before the National Green Tribunal. Though we have laws which regulates mining in India since independence such as Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2015, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 & Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Mining includes the extraction of minerals, metals, and other natural resources from the earth. Mining is an exploitative developmental activity in which ecological balance is often sacrificed for monetary interest. In India illegal mining transformed into a complex form of organized crime involving corruption, ecological destruction, and institutional inefficiency. Illegal mining is considered a form of green crime because it results in severe ecological destruction. In India illegal mining is often related with corruption, exploitation of labour, organized criminal networks. In this paper the author seeks to examine the major reasons behind illegal mining and the legal & administrative loopholes that enable such activities to continue. This papers also highlight the socio-economic consequences emerging from these loopholes particularly their effects on environmental sustainability.