India, Sept. 18 -- New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the response of the Rajasthan government on a court-commissioned report that found rampant illegal mining taking place in the core tiger habitat area of Ranthambore tiger reserve.

Flagging the issue as urgent, a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai and justice K Vinod Chandran told the state, "We know that the mining lobby in Rajasthan is very strong but not at the cost of the environment."

The court passed the order after going through a report filed by a committee comprising the Sawai Madhopur Collector, Field Director of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) and a member of the expert body of Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The committee was constituted...