The massive landslide at the Khanpora Baramulla stone quarry on Friday last should serve as a loud and unsettling wake-up call for the Jammu and Kashmir Government, particularly its Department of Environment. The incident, which engulfed the entire area in thick plumes of dust and debris, not only triggered panic among residents but also exposed the grave risks posed by unchecked and often illegal stone quarrying in ecologically fragile zones.
Such landslides do not occur in isolation. They are frequently the outcome of relentless exploitation of natural resources, blatant disregard for environmental norms, and weak enforcement of existing laws. Khanpora’s tragedy appears to fit this troubling pattern. The sight of hills collapsing and air turning unbreathable is a stark reminder that nature, when pushed beyond its limits, responds with devastating consequences.
It is imperative that the Department of Environment immediately constitutes a high-level, time-bound inquiry into the Khanpora landslide. The probe must ascertain whether the quarry was operating within the bounds of law, whether environmental clearances were obtained and adhered to, and whether scientific assessments regarding slope stability and ecological impact were ever conducted. Anything short of a transparent inquiry will only deepen public mistrust and embolden violators.
Equally crucial is the need to strictly enforce the Jammu and Kashmir High Court’s clear rulings against illegal stone quarrying. The court has time and again emphasized environmental protection, sustainable development, and adherence to mining regulations. Yet, on the ground, illegal quarrying continues with alarming impunity. Khanpora is a grim example of what happens when court directions remain confined to paper.
Illegal stone quarrying not only scars landscapes but also threatens human lives, damages agricultural land, pollutes air and water sources, and destabilizes entire ecosystems. In a region like Jammu and Kashmir, already vulnerable to climate change, seismic activity, and extreme weather events, such reckless exploitation is nothing short of criminal negligence.
The government must act decisively: shut down illegal quarries, penalize offenders without fear or favour, and ensure that all mining activity strictly complies with environmental laws and court orders. Monitoring mechanisms need strengthening, and local communities must be involved in reporting violations, as they are the first to bear the brunt of such disasters.
The Khanpora landslide should not be allowed to fade into yet another forgotten incident. It must mark a turning point where environmental governance in Jammu and Kashmir moves from complacency to accountability. Protecting hills today is not an environmental luxury—it is a necessity to safeguard lives tomorrow.
