Burgeoning illegal mining in several Nallas of Anantnag, DMO Anantnag assures action

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag,March 26 : There is an unabated flow of illegally extracted sand, stones, and boulders from water bodies and streams here in Anantnag District despite a ban on extraction of these materials.

Sources told  Arising state that heavy extraction of sand and boulders is going on in Nallah Bringi area of Sadoora bridge to Larkipora bridge area here in Anantnag District.   As violations continue in the area, the administration is a mute spectator, and violators go scot-free.

According to official sources, hundreds of kanals of agricultural land and horticulture land will be deprived of water due to the plundering of the main water source in the Brengi Nallah at several locations from Sadura bridge to Larkipora bridge.    Despite a ban imposed by the Geology and mining department, illegal mining near the stream continues, causing suffering to people of nearby areas,sources said.

Speaking to Arising state, a local resident from Sadura Anantnag said that at least 30 tippers and many JCB dozers are continuously doing extraction in Nallah Bringi at several locations from Sadura bridge to Larkipora bridge.  Locals claim that the contractor operating heavy machinery inside the Bringi Nallah is working hand in glove with some officials in the concerned department that turn a blind eye to the illegal extraction of sand and other materials from the river.

Locals say they’re doing these illegal mining jobs at night between 6pm and 12 am when everybody is at home.

According to locals, the operation of heavy JCB Bulldozers, tractors, and Tippers inside the river at Sadura Bridge has long ago damaged the river life and has made fish extinct here as the removal of rocks and boulders is in full swing illegally.

Adding that it will affect the flow of water into adjacent villages and agricultural and horticulture land, which would prove disastrous for the local population.

However, Arising state received also complaints of illegal mining extraction from various areas in Anantnag district including the Shankerpora area of Anantnag district and Nallah Lidder from Pahalgam area.

The district official of Geology and Mining department Anantnag, speaking to Arising State, said that we will take action against the people who are involved in illegal mining in these Nalla’s here at Anantnag, adding that we have seized two tippers and big machinery at Nallah Sandran at Dooru area and filed a police complaint against the violators, the official assured action against the violators.