Committee on Environment calls for stringent action against illegal mining in Baramulla District

• Discusses measures at Dak Bungalow Baramulla

BARAMULLA: The Committee on Environment today called for strict action against illegal mining activities in Baramulla district. The Committee convened a detailed review meeting at Dak Bungalow Baramulla to deliberate upon measures required to curb illegal extraction of soil, sand, gypsum, and other materials across the district.

The meeting was chaired by MLA Uri, Dr. Sajjad Shafi, and attended by members Peerzada Feroze Ahmad, Zafar Ali Khatana, and Irshad Rasool Kar. Local legislators Javid Hassan Baig, Javaid Reyaz Bedar, Irfan Hafiz Lone, and Peerzada Farooq Ahmad Shah also participated as special invitees and flagged issues of illegal mining and deforestation in their respective constituencies.

The Committee expressed serious concern over rampant illegal mining and its adverse impact on the environment, stressing the need to enforce a complete ban on such activities, particularly along Ferozpur Nallah, Ningli Nallah, Wular Lake, and River Jhelum. Dr. Sajjad Shafi highlighted that unregulated gypsum mining in Uri is severely affecting the local population.

“Our roads are getting damaged, and locals, especially students, are suffering due to dust and pollution caused by unbridled mining operations which requires strict regulation,” he said. Members unanimously demanded robust monitoring of soil, sand, and mineral extraction from rivers and streams, besides strict action against violators.

The Committee directed the Social Forestry Department to take up large-scale reforestation drives, particularly near Wular Lake and along National Highway widening stretches. It also called for a crackdown on illegal crusher operations, encroachments on water bodies, and landfilling of catchment areas.

The Committee also recommended ban on single-use plastic, desilting of spill-over channels and canals, prevention of conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural use. The members also asserted on construction of STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants) to treat greywater and prevent pollution of water bodies, proper management of garbage sheds and scientific disposal of daily waste to promote environmental sustainability.

Members also voiced concern over the excessive use of heavy machinery for deep mining, which is weakening embankments and threatening vital infrastructure. The Committee observed that the recent floods, frequent cloudbursts, and flash floods across the Himalayan region should serve as a wake-up call and stressed the urgent need for disaster preparedness and mitigation measures.

The meeting also reviewed ongoing flood prevention works and initiatives taken by the Irrigation & Flood Control Department, Pollution Control Board, and Department of Environment & Ecology to minimize the impact of natural disasters and climate change in J&K. Senior officers, including Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa, Director Geology & Mining, Conservator of Forests, Director ULB, and officers from the concerned departments, were present in the meeting. The Committee directed all departments to submit detailed reports on mining, deforestation, and flood mitigation measures within a stipulated timeframe.