Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 15: Despite regulations prohibiting the movement of heavy machinery and vehicles on the Jhelum River embankments, sand miners in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district persist in transporting sand mined from the riverbed, using makeshift roads.
Concerns are mounting among locals regarding the ongoing sand mining operations in the region due to their association with various social and environmental issues. Residents have voiced grievances over the Government’s apparent disregard for their complaints, as continuous sand extraction exerts immense pressure on embankments, leading to their destabilisation and collapse.
The areas including Reshipora, Dogripora, Dangerpora, Barso, Kakpora, Wokho, Pampore, Hatiwara, Banderpora, and Lelhar are particularly affected by these activities. “Officials seem more focused on financial gain than on protecting the public and the environment,” Ghulam Mohammad, a resident of Dagripora, said.
Locals allege connivance between miners and staff from the Mining Department, as extensive mining and transportation operations could not proceed without official cooperation. “This complicity has allowed illegal mining to persist, despite the risks posed to nearby residents and infrastructure,” another local said.
Experts caution against the detrimental effects of excessive sand mining, which accelerates river velocity, leading to erosion of riverbanks and posing a threat to embankments and infrastructure like bridges. They highlight the vulnerability of embankments, especially after the destruction of protective walls erected in the aftermath of the 2014 floods. Moreover, they said unchecked sand extraction disrupts local ecology by destroying plant and animal habitats and polluting water sources.
An official from the Irrigation Department emphasised the adverse impact of excessive sand mining on lift irrigation projects, noting that riverbed erosion renders them ineffective when the water level drops. He said that in many cases, the water level has dropped below the pumps’ reach, jeopardising agricultural activities. “This is a critical issue that demands urgent resolution, as its repercussions on agriculture could be catastrophic,” an official said.
The District Mineral Officer Manzoor Ahmad did not respond to the multiple calls from this reporter.
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