Responding to the a petition filed by the National Green Tribunal Bar Association the National Green Tribunal on August 5 ordered a stay on all sand mining activity in the river beds, which do not have requisite environmental clearance. The Bar had filed the petition in response to the suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal, who initiated a drive against illegal sand mining in Gautum Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh.    The Bar in its petition raised the issue of illegal and impermissible mining activity in Uttar Pradesh, particularly on the banks of the Yamuna, Ganga, Chambal, Gaumti, Revati and other rivers. The petitioners alleged that the State authorities have failed and/or have intentionally not taken appropriate legal action against the project proponents and thus have abetted and wilfully connived in allowing such illegal sand mining to take place in complete violation of environmental and other applicable laws.