Illegal extraction of minerals goes unabated in Kalampora Pulwama
Pulwama: The residents of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday alleged that the illegal extraction of minerals was going unabated in Nallah Sasa in Kalampora of the district.
The residents said the people with vested interests were damaging the natural resources while the authorities were acting as mute spectators.
The locals accused authorities of inaction against the ‘vested interest elements’ who according to them resort to illegal extraction of Bajri and boulders from Nallah Sasa.
“Some people are extracting bajri, boulders illegally from nallah which results in the receding of water level besides weakening the embankments,” the locals complained to Kashmir Vision.
They said that illegal mining was posing a threat to their horticulture and agricultural land while the level of Nallah was going down with each passing day.
“This water won’t enter into land whenever we will need it for irrigation purposes,” they said.
They said the authorities have given the contract to the contractor who can use JCB but they are using big machines, causing severe damage to Nallah.
“Several villages are dependent on this Nallah for irrigation and other purposes,” the locals said.
They said the illegal extraction from the Nallah was posing threat to the fish production as well.
“Contractors are openly extracting the minerals from the nallah with L&T machines while the authorities don’t even bother to reach the spot and take action against them,” the locals said.
The locals appealed to the higher-ups of the concerned department to look into the matter and deal with the offenders strictly as per law.
Jahangeer Ganaie
