Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 31: Illegal mining is going on unabated in several areas of north Kashmir causing immense damage to the forests in Narbaba Hangah, and the Maratgam areas of Mawer in Handwara.
Due to the mining works, the orchards that are nearby are also getting damaged even as the locals have brought the issue to the notice of the concerned higher-ups, but to no avail. They said that on daily basis, heavy vehicles are seen ferrying the material.
Locals said that even though the Geology and Mining Department initially took some action and seized several vehicles that were involved in the illegal mining, however, later the vehicles were released and since then no further action was followed by any of the concerned departments. “Since then, I would say that the mining has sped up since then,” a local said.
Another local said that his toil of last more than 10 years has turned out to be a waste as the dust that emanates from the spot of mining has severely affected my orchard.
While the locals are alleging inaction by the Revenue Department, the Forest Department, an official on the condition of anonymity said that the higher-ups despite being aware of the matter are not taking any action to stop the illegal mining going on in these areas.
As the locals demand stern action against the violators, they said that recently authorities imposed a ban on the extraction of minerals at Nallah Mawer, as a result, the livelihood of thousands of people got affected, “but those influential remain untouched,” they said.
Abdul Hamid Malla, DFO Langate told Excelsior that these areas do not fall under forest land and that he has informed the higher-ups in this regard. “It is beyond our jurisdiction and now it is the matter of the Revenue and police department,” he said.
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