Suhail Khan
Baramulla, Feb 17: In response to escalating concerns about illegal mining in Kashmir, particularly affecting its essential water bodies, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhury stated on Monday that efforts will be intensified to eradicate illegal mining, and immediate action will be taken against those responsible.
Speaking with the media on the sidelines of a function in Baramulla as per Kashmir Despatch, he underlined the administration’s firm stance against illegal mining activities, declared that such practices would not be tolerated and that prompt action would be taken against offenders. He clarified that whether it pertains to gypsum, sand, or any other material, illegal mining will not be accepted.
Furthermore, he mentioned that he has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla to form a committee so that those involved in illegal mining can be dealt with strictly. He asserted that there will be no compromise when it comes to illegal mining, with a zero-tolerance policy in place; any involvement will lead to action being taken. He assured that anyone involved in illegal mining will not be spared under any circumstances.
Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, a prominent environmental activist, stated in an interview with Kashmir Despatch that illegal riverbed mining is causing many of the region’s water bodies and streams to become silted. Rivers and streams have a stable hydraulic regime that governs characteristics such as bed slope, width, and depth of flow. The mining of minerals, boulders, gravel, and sand must consider the entire regime of the river and its regenerative capacity regarding minor minerals.
This is why an Environmental Impact Assessment is essential before allowing riverbed mining; it is necessary to prevent or minimize damage to the aquatic ecology of rivers and streams. Illegal mining, which is rampant in Kashmir, has severely affected the hydraulic parameters, leading to the erosion of riverbanks during floods and even changing the course of streams and rivers.
He emphasized that serious measures must be taken by both the government and the public to prevent illegal riverbed mining. The government must enforce its authority to prevent further damage to rivers and streams. Heavy penalties must be imposed on violators, including lessees who willfully extract excessive material illegally, resulting in environmental degradation, he added.
