Jaipur, Feb. 21 -- The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notice on a miscellaneous application seeking permission to resume mining activities in forest land and sanctuary buffer areas near Ranthambore National Park. The matter was heard by a bench comprising justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Dr A Senthil Vel, expert member. An official release states that the application seeks modification of the Tribunal's earlier order dated October 11, 2017, which had restrained mining activities in 208 hectares of forest land and an additional 201 hectares falling within the sanctuary and buffer zone of Ranthambore National Park. The applicant submitted that subsequent to the 2017 restraint order, all requisite statutory clearances have been obtained. These include approval under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act for diversion of forest land and wildlife clearance dated June 9, 2025, granted under Section 29 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act by the principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan. Relying on Direction No. 3 of the 2017 order - which permitted the project proponent to approach the Tribunal after securing necessary permissions - the applicant has sought leave to recommence mining operations in the previously restrained 208 hectares of forest land. After hearing the submissions, the Tribunal issued notice to all respondents in the original application and directed them to file their replies by way of affidavit at least one week prior to the next date of hearing through e-filing. The bench also directed that if any respondent files a reply directly without routing it through counsel, such respondent must remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal. The applicant has been directed to complete service upon all parties and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next hearing. The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 25, 2026....