SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: Illegal mining is not causing a threat to natural resources but it can also affect tourism industry in Kashmir, as at many places it has been observed that mining is not emerging a major challenge for natural resources but also causing grave threat to several historic places of Valley. Illegal mining, which is going on unabated in North to South Kashmir, has endangered heritage and ancient monuments, besides posing threat to highway bridges and other adjacent areas. It is also making it hard to retain natural beauty of upper reaches of Kulgam, Shopian, Budgam and Ganderbal districts where hundreds of tippers are busy in daylight loot of natural resources, despite Government instructions. According to residents of Ganderbal, “Mining activities are threatening nearby tourist places and other tracks which have been particularly reserved for adventure tourism. Despite tall claims by local administration and Mining Department, a large number of mules can be seen carrying extracted sand and gravel from river banks. Several sand and gravel dumps could be seen on Srinagar-Baramulla highway, Srinagar-Ganderbal road and Srinagar-Budgam road. Deep trenches dug by mining mafia in riverbed had weakened ancient monuments as well as pillars of bridges.”
They further said that in view of emerging scenario, a complete ban should be imposed on mining in Kashmir valley. As per Government’s instructions, mining cannot be carried out within 100 mts of a bridge but mining mafia is engaged in illegal activity right next to foundation of several bridges and other natural resources. A few residents also claimed that despite highlighting the issue several times, mining authorities and local administration has done nothing in this regard. Government must come up with a proper policy on extraction of minerals like sand in UT and ensure that licenses are granted on the basis of merit. All vehicles ferrying mineral illegally extracted or obtained must be seized. Moreover, all loopholes in system, of which the mining mafia take advantage, need to be plugged. Govt and other concerned authorities need to expedite efforts to curb illegal mining activities in UT, in the larger interest of people.