India, March 21 -- Taking serious note of the destruction of habitats of aquatic animals due to rampant illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, the Supreme Court on Friday said such destruction in a protected area would attract offences and penalties under various laws, including the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said officials of the concerned departments of states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh would be held "vicariously liable" for aiding and abetting the destruction of precious habitat by allowing illegal sand mining to continue.

The National Chambal Sanctuary, also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 5,400 sq km tri-state protecte...