NGT panel estimates up to 15 lakh tonnes of riverbed material extracted from Sukhnag

Ziraat Times Team Report

New Delhi, June 2: A high-level supervisory committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has reported large-scale extraction of riverbed material from the Sukhnag stream in central Kashmir’s Beerwah area of Budgam district, estimating that between 10.6 lakh and 15.3 lakh tonnes of boulders, gravel, sand and other material may have been removed through mining activities.

The committee, comprising experts and officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE), inspected the affected sites at Sail and Kangripora villages on March 18, 2026. Its findings have been submitted to the NGT through the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC).

The matter stems from a petition filed by environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat. The case is scheduled for hearing before the NGT on July 13.

According to the report, extensive excavation along the Sukhnag river has significantly altered the natural river course, damaged the river ecosystem and affected aquatic biodiversity, fisheries and groundwater recharge systems.

The committee surveyed the river stretch upstream of Sail Bridge and found evidence of deep trench excavation across a large area. Based on field measurements, it estimated that approximately 15.3 lakh tonnes of riverbed material had been extracted, assuming an average excavation depth of 5.22 metres.

The report noted that even under a more conservative estimate of 3.86 metres excavation depth, the quantity of extracted material would still exceed 10.6 lakh tonnes.

The expert panel observed that the scale of extraction warrants further verification through high-resolution satellite imagery or drone-based surveys, but said the findings clearly indicate extensive disturbance of the riverbed.

This is the third major investigation into the matter. Earlier, a joint team comprising officials from MoEFCC, CPCB and JKPCC inspected the site in December 2024. Subsequently, the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam constituted another inquiry committee headed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Beerwah, and the Divisional Forest Officer, Budgam. Both panels reportedly confirmed large-scale illegal riverbed mining, following which mining operations were halted in January 2025.

In its recommendations, the supervisory committee called for an immediate moratorium on all mining activities within a five-kilometre stretch upstream and downstream of Sail Bridge, extending up to Beerwah town, which falls within a designated trout zone.

The panel also recommended strict enforcement of the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016, and the Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining, 2020, issued by the MoEFCC.

Among other measures, it suggested filling deep trenches, re-levelling riverbed sediments to restore the natural channel profile, installing CCTV-based surveillance systems at mining hotspots, and strengthening monitoring mechanisms to prevent illegal and night-time mining.

The report further proposed comprehensive river restoration measures, including riverbed re-profiling, habitat restoration for fish species, trout restocking programmes, riparian plantation and riverbank stabilisation works in coordination with the Forest and Fisheries departments.

The committee also confirmed losses suffered by local fish farmer Perzada Rayees, reporting the death of around 2,000 fish and estimating financial losses of approximately Rs 3 lakh.

Welcoming the findings, petitioner Raja Muzaffar Bhat said he hoped the NGT would impose substantial environmental compensation on those responsible for permitting the mining activities and order restoration of the affected river ecosystem.

He also sought criminal action against officials allegedly involved in granting mining permissions and demanded adequate compensation for the affected fish farmer.