Wanton misuse of the mineral wealth of River Tawi with impunity continues unabated . It is suspected that the mafia engaged in illegal mining activities in River Tawi are enjoying the patronage of the administration, the Police and some other Departments. This mining has , however, in its wake, a serious threat posed for prestigious Jammu Ropeway Project well before its formal commissioning as the foundations of its towers stand threatened . The mafia is so much emboldened that the directives of the State High Court too are conveniently dared to be disregarded.
It may be recalled that a total ban on extraction of minor minerals from River Tawi was imposed as back as in November 2016 by the Division Bench of the State High Court following filing of one Public Interest Litigation (PIL) whereby various issues were highlighted like conserving and preserving of River Tawi. Even in subsequent hearings in this PIL , the Division Bench had even directed Geology and Mining Department to establish sufficient number of check posts for stopping of extraction and subsequent transportation of minor minerals from River Tawi. Even the Police was ordered to follow suit . The fact of the matter is that these illegal activities are going on unabated as the concerned authorities knowingly turn a blind eye to this problem especially in the light of the safety and security of the much hyped but prestigious Jammu Ropeway Project .The authorities must, in the right earnest, look and act tough.