New Delhi, April 18 -- Flagging rampant illegal sand mining in National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, the Supreme Court on Friday directed governments of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to install CCTV cameras at routes frequently used for such activities, saying the apex court cannot remain a "silent spectator". Slamming these states for their "utter failure", the top court warned that it would be constrained to issue directions, including deployment of central forces and blanket ban on sand mining, if the authorities would not take concrete measures to tackle the illegal activities. Passing a slew of directions, the apex court said these states would be well advised to invoke provisions relating to preventive detention, seizure and confiscation of immovable properties and machinery, and to undertake stringent prosecution to bring the offenders to book and ensure environment protection. A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said protection of natural resources and fragile ecosystems was not only a statutory obligation but a constitutional imperative. "The continued degradation of natural resources and fragile ecosystems for short-term gains and greed, coupled with administrative indifference, cannot be countenanced in a system governed by the rule of law," the bench said. It passed the order in a suo motu case titled 'In Re: Illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and threat to endangered aquatic wildlife'. The National Chambal Sanctuary, also called National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 5,400-sq km tri-state protected area. Located on the Chambal river near the tripoint of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the sanctuary was first declared a protected area in 1978 and now constitutes a long and narrow eco-reserve co-administered by the three states. "Having regard to the magnitude and seriousness of the issues involved in the present matter, as well as the prima facie lackadaisical approach adopted by the states concerned, this court cannot remain a silent spectator," the bench said. It directed these states to ensure installation of CCTV cameras at all routes frequently used for illegal sand mining and along vulnerable stretches of river where such activities are prevalent....