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| Haphazard mechanized-mining threatens River Vaishow’s ecology | | | Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Anantnag, Dec 9: Putting the ecology at stake, the authorities are allegedly allowing haphazard mechanized riverbed mining in Nallah Vaishow in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
The mechanized mining is taking place haphazardly contrary to the conditions laid down in the mining plan and environmental clearance issued by Jammu and Kashmir Environment Impact Assessment Authority.
The mining and extraction of riverbed material is also taking place in areas of the river which the Geology and Mining Department hasn’t allowed for mining as environmental clearance certificates for these blocks are awaited.
A spot visited found firms digging riverbed with heavy machines at multiple locations in the river. The mining of riverbed material was also taking place without any visible supervision of authorities.
Naseer Ahmad, who heads Geology and Mining Department in Kulgam district, told Early Times that each firm was authorized to put two JCB machines in use for extracting riverbed material and one machine was to be kept available for leveling the riverbed, however Early Times found that the contractor had moved five machines in river [Block No. 24] for mining.
The workers at Nallah Viashow Block 24 insisted that rampant illegal mining in nearby minor mineral blocks is going unchecked.
“This firm at least has got the permission from a competent authority. Just look behind and see how illegal mining is taking place,” they said on being asked how the department was supervising their mining operation.
Locals said that illegal mining was also going on at night hours and the material extracted was being supplied to Srinagar during night and early morning hours.
Experts say that haphazard mining was damaging the ecology of the river and tempering river flow which may in future create trouble for the population residing on river banks.
Several Officers in Kulgam administration said that the Geology and Mining Department was facing a staff shortage. “They don’t have enough staff to control illegal mining and ensure mining in permissible areas takes place according to norms,” they said.
The Geology and Mining Department in Kulgam has ten employees, this includes the Mining officer himself.
“Eight employees are supposed to look after 30 blocks out of which 6 blocks are operational and public hearings have been conducted for the other 9 blocks. |
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