Srinagar: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who also holds the Mining Department portfolio in the J&K Government, on Sunday directed the District Mineral Officer (DMO) Pulwama to submit a detailed report on illegal riverbed mining (RBM) taking place in Romshi Nallah, particularly in Cheva Kalan, Cheva Khurd, and the adjoining villages.
The Deputy Chief Minister responded on X to noted social activist Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who had highlighted the illegal mining activities in Romshi Nallah despite the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) orders to halt them. “Noted. Action will be taken,” wrote the Deputy Chief Minister in reply to Dr. Bhat’s post.
Dr. Raja Muzaffar, who has filed over half a dozen petitions in the NGT concerning illegal riverbed mining, shared GPS-tagged pictures on X, tagging the Deputy Chief Minister, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, and other officials. Notably, Dr. Bhat had filed a petition in this case with the NGT in November last year, prompting the tribunal to issue notices to the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama and the J&K State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
The Principal Bench of the NGT, led by Justice Prakash Srivastava (Chairperson) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member), directed the District Magistrate Pulwama and SEIAA to submit detailed reports before the next hearing, scheduled for February 5, 2024. Following this, the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) imposed a ban on illegal mining and issued closure orders earlier this year in February.
“In spite of the closure order issued by the JKPCC, illegal mining continues in Romshi Nallah in Pulwama and other streams. Machines such as JCBs and L&T cranes, which are banned under relevant laws, are being used. The DMO Pulwama has failed to act and has allowed the illegal activities. I appreciate Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary for taking cognizance of my post on X, but I question what report the DMO Pulwama will submit when he himself permits this illegal work. I urge the Deputy CM to hand this case over to the J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for a thorough investigation,” said Dr. Raja Muzaffar.
Illegal riverbed mining is reportedly widespread in other areas as well, including Nallah Sukhnag in Beerwah Budgam, Vaishav in Kulgam, and Rambiara in Shopian.
“Except for the DC of Shopian, other DCs in J&K have not been proactive against the mining mafia. I appeal to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary to take note of this issue,” Dr. Raja Muzaffar added.
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