Illegal extraction of sand, Gravel from Bandipora streams goes unabated under the nose of officials

Suhail Rather

Bandipora Dec 11: Despite government ban, mining mafia is plundering Arin Nallah in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district taking heavy toll on fish production.

          The illegal mining of gravel, boulders and sand is subsequently feeding the construction work, which is also going on in the district despite ban.

Locals from Nusoo, Gamroo, Arin, Bapora, Papchan and its adjoining areas of Bandipora district accused Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Fisheries and Geology Mining department of allowing illegal extraction of sand, boulders and gravel in Arin nallah which have destroyed the aquatic life of the stream.

The locals including several environment activist recently upload videos on social media showing the trout fish trapped in a pool formed through mining in Arin Nallah. The locals said due to unabated mining, the trout fish production has been affected to a great extent.

According to locals, the officials are allowing the extraction of sand and gravel in Arin Nallah near Gamroo, New Bridge Arin, Bapora, and Papchan without fear of any action. Some spots where the plunder is being carried out are very near to the Mini-Secretariat in Bandipora depicting that they are hand-in-glove with the illegal mining mafia. “The Govt orders are being violated and authorities seem helpless,” they said.

          Locals said that tractors and tippers can be seen in queue in night hours while extracting sand and gravel illegally in Arin Nallah especially in Upper Gamroo and Bapora areas. This has taken sheen off the pristine nallah while the authorities watch the vandalism helplessly.

They said that due to the large scale extraction in nallah Arin the embankments constructed on the banks of the Nallah meant to prevent floods are getting weaker also due to illegal extraction, damaging the adjoining roads,  causing noise pollution during night disturbing residents living near  besides endangering trout species.

          Locals added that these extractors start their work in the evening till midnight, using men and machinery by mining sand plus gravel and then transporting the same after 4 am.

          "Every day scores of tractors transport the boulders illegally extracted from the river to the markets. The authorities are not bothered to put an end to this practice which is being carried out in broad daylight," said Gh Rasool, a resident of are."This illegal trade has now grown into a mafia."

          Environmental experts expressed serious concern at the unabated practice, saying it portends environmental destruction. “Government should act immediately else our future will turn bleak. We are not only destroying precious resources but are inviting the wrath of nature through floods and other natural calamities,” they said.

When contacted, the Officers of Fisheries Department and Geology and Mining Department accused each other for this destruction.

Meanwhile locals appealed district administration to put a halt to this illegal mining to save Arin Nallah and urged them to take action against the illegal miners.

          Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad (IAS) while talking to Kashmir Convener assured action against the violators and said whosoever will be found guilty will be dealt strictly.