Undue advantage: Illegal extraction of minerals goes unabated in Pulwama, Shopian
Pulwama: Illegal extraction of sand, stones and boulders from water bodies is going on unabated in Pulwama and Shopian districts of South Kashmir.
Sources and witnesses said that when authorities are busy in dealing with Covid-19, various contractors and locals use machines to extract sand, stones and boulders during late evening hours from Ranbiara rivulet in Pulwama and Shopian districts.
Locals from Allowpora, Nowpora and its adjacent areas from Shopian district said as sun sets, dozens of people come with machines and other vehicles and start extraction of minerals from Ranbiara rivulet.
They said that these men start work at around 8 in the evening which continues upto 1 am or till wee hours.
“Due to the noise of these machines and tractors, we are unable to sleep as we live very close to the river,” said a resident of Allowpora.
Similarly residents of Litter, Rakh and its adjacent areas of Pulwama said that illegal extraction of minerals continues in their areas even during day time.
Despite assurances from authorities that the illegal extraction would be stopped, extraction continues in the area, said locals.
Experts say that it is a serious concern as it portends environmental destruction.
“We are inviting the wrath of nature through flood and other natural calamities by destroying these precious resources,” said an environmental expert.
The extraction of sand, stones and boulders not only cause loss in terms of resources but also changes the leveling of stream which shows its colour in floods, he added.
Officials in Geology and Mining department admitted that the lockdown is being violated and at many places as illegal excavation takes place during night.
“Without support of police we cannot stop extraction during night,” they said adding that we have informed higher ups in the administration in this regard and action will be taken against all violators.
Jahangeer Ganaie
