Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 8: The inhabitants of various north Kashmir areas of Baramulla district today said that the soil extraction is proving hazardous for their orchards.
Residents of Puthkhah, Zangam Pattan and Palhallan said that the tippers used in transportation of the extracted soil generate heavy dust. “The dust ultimately settles on the trees in our orchards and it is costing us heavily,” they said.
Though the High Court has placed ban on mining, the Geology and Mining Department has given permit to two contractors for extracting and removing soil from August August 1 to 16 for the purpose of sale and consumption as building materials/ road materials”. The duo namely Abdul Rashid Baba and Abdul Khaliq Bhat paid a royalty of Rs 60,917 to the department.
The locals further said that not only the soil extraction affects their orchards but it also causes soil erosion. “First of all we don’t understand how the authorities allow them to extract soil despite clear court order,” they said and appealed Government to immediately halt the mining.
The District Officer of Geology and Mining, Irshad Ahmad, told Excelsior that “there is no blanket ban” on the extraction of soil. He confirmed that the department has issued permit to two contractors.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Mushtaq Ahmad, told Excelsior that though there is ban on soil mining “but developmental works have also to be carried on”. “So, for this we monitor the extraction work and if anyone violates law, we lodge FIR and act against the person,” he added.
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