| I&FC Deptt keeps mum, locals appeal administration for help | | Illegal extraction of sand, bajri and boulders from Ferozpora nallah | |  S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
BARAMULLA, Mar 20: Illegal extraction of sand, bajri and boulders has scared the people living close to the banks of nallah Ferozpora in Tangmarag area of this north Kashmir district, while as department of Flood and Irrigation Control has become mute spectators.
Sources while talking to early times said that, there is an unabated loot of sand, bajri and boulders from Hurdubani village of Kunzer Tangmarag.
There is a nexus between Tipper drivers, sand mafia and some political workers who collectively are doing illegal business of sand, bajri and boulders in the area; they transport the material into tippers to various parts of Tangmarag, Baramulla and Srinagar, said sources.
Sources said that, mallah Ferozpora is passing through Hardubani village, and the opposite banks of nallah have got completely damaged, and with the result there is a serious threat to nearby villages and the apple orchards that are located in the nearby distances of nullah/stream.
During rainy seasons, gushing water in the Ferozpora nallah, erodes the soil and vast part of the orchards gets affected, sources informed.
A local resident of Kunzer, Javid Ahmad (name changed) said that, many times I telephoned the employees of the concerned department, but they have not picked up their phone, adding they have learnt from their sources that the department concerned have been taking 'Hafta' bribe from the local tipper/tractor drivers.
In past, the government had put a ban on illegal extraction of sand bajri and boulders from Ferozpora nallah, but the band remained for just few days only adding, this all practice is going on under the noose of Irrigation and Flood Control Department, but they have turned a blind eye towards this illegal sand extraction, said a local resident of Kunzer.
Locals of Hardubani said that, the sand, bajri and boulder is being supplied to the nearby stone crushers, they are also responsible for air pollution they are affecting the surrounding atmosphere due to emission of particulate matters.
There are more than dozens of stone crushers Tangmarag area includes in Hardubani village and people have easy asses to the dust exposure that risk the human health and vegetation.
Many times we staged protest against the illegal sand extraction that is transported to the near stone crushers and other areas in a broad day light, but no action whatsoever was taken against them.
Meanwhile locals have appealed the Governor Administration and concerned Deputy Commissioner, police and Thesildar to put a blanket ban on illegal sand extraction and take stern action against the sand mafias. |
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