Amid Covid-19 Lockdown illegal extraction of sand, boulders and Gravel from Bandipora’s Arin Nallah goes unabted under the nose of officials
Suhail Rather
Bandipora, 30 August: Despite government ban and amid the authorities busy with combating Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, mining mafia is plundering Arin Nallah in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
This illegal mining of gravel, boulders and sand is subsequently feeding the construction work, which is also going on in the district despite the lockdown to prevent spread of the novel Coronavirus.
Locals from Nusoo, Gamroo, 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 socio-geography of the area.
According to locals, the officials are allowing the extraction of sand and gravel in Arin nallah near Nusoo, Gamroo and Papchan Some spots where the plunder is being carried out are very near to the mini-secretariat in Bandipora, adding that they are hand-in-glove with the tractor drivers. “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 Nusoo and Papchan 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 walls constructed on the banks of the Nallah meant to prevent floods are getting destroyed also due to illegal extraction, the trout species are in danger.
Locals told that due to illegal sand and gravel extraction, the area has become vulnerable to floods due to the weakening of the embankments of the nallah.
Locals added that theseextractors 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.
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 Officers of Fishries department and Geology mining department they accused each other for this destruction.
Meanwhile, Locals demand that the district administration should immediately put a halt to this illegal mining and save not only the Arin Nallah but the people of the district as well.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad (IAS) when contacted on phone assured action against the violators. He said whosoever will be found guilty will be dealt strictly. (PTK)
