Convener News Desk
Srinagar, September 22: The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has sanctioned the constitution of a high-level committee to examine and finalize the modalities for the revival of customary stone quarrying activities at Panthachowk (Srinagar), Saderkoot Bala (Bandipora), and other related locations.
The committee formed under Government Order No. 1228-JK(GAD) of 2025, which is tasked with preparing recommendations within 30 days, comprises senior officials and experts from multiple departments. It is chaired by the Special Secretary of the Mining Department and includes representatives from the Forest, Ecology & Environment Department, Revenue Department, Jal Shakti Department, Rural Development Department, the Director of Geology & Mining Department who also serves as the Member Secretary, a professor from the Department of Geology at the University of Kashmir, and a representative from the J&K Pollution Control Committee.
The terms of reference for the committee include examining the legal and regulatory framework governing customary quarrying practices at the identified locations. It will also assess the environmental implications, seeking inputs from key stakeholders such as the Pollution Control Committee and the Forest Department. Further, the committee is expected to explore administrative mechanisms for the structured revival of quarrying activities in line with the J&K Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016, and related regulations. The committee will suggest sustainable, scientific, and community-sensitive modalities for the operation of these quarries and recommend a way forward for consideration by the competent authority.
The government has emphasized that the committee’s recommendations will serve as a guideline for reviving stone quarrying activities responsibly, ensuring that environmental safeguards, local community interests, and regulatory compliance are fully observed.
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