SRINAGAR: Illegal extraction of mining materials, including sand, bajri, and boulders, continues in the Lidder river of Anantnag, despite a ban imposed by the J&K High Court.
While talking to Srinagar-based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot com, residents from areas such as Aakura, Nambal, Sakdas, and Ganeshpora allege that the mining activities persist with the complicity of local officials from the Mining and Fisheries departments.
“We have raised this issue multiple times, but no action is being taken,” said Ramzan Rather, a resident of Sakdas. “The embankments are being destroyed, increasing the risk of floods.”
The High Court had banned mining between Mattan and Pahalgam to protect trout fish habitats and directed 24-hour monitoring by the Fisheries department. However, locals claim that illegal activities using heavy machinery, including JCBs and tractors, continue unabated.
An expert in environmental conservation warned about the long-term impact. “Riverbed erosion has weakened flood protection walls, and water levels have dropped below irrigation pump thresholds, posing serious threats to agriculture and the ecosystem,” he explained.
The damage to riverbanks has raised concerns about future flooding and environmental degradation. “The unchecked mining is creating a disaster in the making,” said a local farmer, urging authorities to intervene immediately.
District Mining Officer (DMO) Anantnag assured action in the affected areas. “I have noted the names of the areas, and a team will be deployed immediately to investigate,” the DMO said.
Puneet Gupta, Director of Geology and Mining, urged residents to formally report their concerns. “Email the complaint to us, and we will act as per the rules,” he said.
