Illegal mining poses major threat to water, other resources in Kashmir

MASROOR AHMAD

SRINAGAR: Acting tough against the persons involved in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals, in major operations the Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested 13 persons and seized 14vehicles, mostly trucks, in Kulgam and Baramulla districts during the past 36 hours.
In Kulgam, on April 2 a police party led by SHO Police Station Devsar during patrolling at general road Peepora, Pahloo crossing seized two tractor trolleys and arrested drivers involved in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals from Nallah Vaishow, police said, adding that the accused drivers have been identified as Zubair Ahmad Rather, son of Hamidullah Rather, resident of Sopat, Tengpora and Danish Ahmad Ganie, son of Manzoor Ahmad Ganie, resident of Bona Devsar.
On April 3, a police party led by IC PP Mirbazar seized three Tippers at Mirbazar Chowk and arrested their drivers for their involvement in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals. The accused drivers have been identified as Muzaffar Ahmad Lone, son of Abdul Salam Lone, resident of Shankarpora Dooru, Anantnag, Mohammad Aarif Dar, son of Noor Mohammad Dar, resident of Hetiwara Lethpora, Awantipora and Aadil Ahmad Lone, son of Gull Mohammad Lone, resident of Shankarpora Dooru, Anantnag.
In Noth Kashmir’s Baramulla district, on April 2 a police party under the supervision of SDPO Tangmarg, Pattan and Kreeri, assisted by SHO PS Kunzer, Incharge Police Post Palhallan and Incharge Police Post Wagoora, seized eight tractors and arrested seven drivers at Kunzer, Shrakwara and Dargam area of Baramulla involved in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals, police said, adding that they have been identified as Adil Akbar Rather, son of Mohd Akbar, resident of Ogmuna; Mudasir Ahmad Thokar, son of Ab Ahad, resident of Chek Khaitangan; Yaseen Ahmad Malik, son of Habibullah Malik, resident of Hurchak; Mohd Rafiq Bhat, son of Ab Rehman, resident of Pakipora Pattan; Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, son of Ab Khaliq and Umar Salaam Parra, son of Ab Salaam, both residents of Tapper Payeen and Mohd Hussain Parray, son of Ab Rahman, resident of Goigam.
Despite this, the people have been urged not to indulge in any kind of illegal mining activities from any Nallah or river, as it is the violation of Government rules, but people are not paying heed to these appeals and illegal mining continues uninterrupted which poses a major threat to water and other natural resources in the Kashmir Valley, sources said.
It is important to mention there that unabated mining has become a major environmental issue in the valley. It has a direct bearing upon the losses in the Union Territory. Many experts are of the opinion that illegal mining results in massive revenue loss to the public exchequer. It is a fact that unregulated and illegal mining of minerals are undertaken without the proper permission from the concerned authorities.
Sources told the STATE TIMES, in view of following destruction , a complete ban should be imposed on mining in the Kashmir valley. The mining mafia, however, is engaged in the illegal activity right next to the foundation of natural resources, they added.
A few local residents claimed that they had brought the issue to the notice of the mining authorities and the local administration, but to no avail.
Despite tall claims by the local administration and the Mining Department, a large number of mules can be seen carrying extracted from these areas. The illegally mined material was transported on mules to certain points from where it was shifted to vehicles by the mining mafia for further sale, said an environmental activist.
The government must come up with a proper policy on the extraction of minerals like sand in the UT and ensure that licenses are granted on the basis of merit. All vehicles ferrying the mineral illegally extracted or obtained must be seized by the law enforcement wings, he felt.