SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who also oversees the Mining Department in Jammu and Kashmir, has directed the District Mineral Officer (DMO) of Pulwama to submit a detailed report on illegal riverbed mining (RBM) allegedly taking place in Romshi Nallah and its adjoining villages, including Chewa Kalan and Chewa Khurd.
The Dy CM’s directive follows a social media post by noted activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who highlighted the ongoing illegal mining activities despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s earlier orders to halt such operations. Responding to Dr Bhat’s post on X, Choudhary assured action, stating, “Noted. Action will be taken.”
Inspite of assuring NGT that no illegal Riverbed Mining will take place @GeologyMiningJK is allowing open Loot in Romshi Nallah around Goosu Pulwama. Will @dcpulwama respond please ?@Surinderch55 @OmarAbdullah @TeamPulwama @parawahid @ahmedalifayyaz @RuhullahMehdi pic.twitter.com/ynqHQ6mv2Y
— Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat (@rtimuzaffar) November 30, 2024
Dr Bhat, known for his relentless advocacy against environmental violations, has filed multiple petitions with the NGT concerning illegal mining. He shared GPS-tagged images of the mining activities, tagging the Dy CM, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, and other officials. In November last year, he filed a petition in the NGT on the same issue. Following this, the NGT issued notices to the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama and the J&K State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
The NGT Principal Bench, chaired by Justice Prakash Srivastava and Dr A Senthil Veil, had directed the District Magistrate Pulwama and SEIAA to provide detailed reports before the next hearing scheduled for February 5, 2024. In response, the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) imposed a ban and issued closure orders against illegal mining earlier this year.
However, Dr Bhat claims that illegal activities continue unabated. “Despite the closure order by JKPCC, illegal mining is rampant in Romshi Nallah and other streams. Heavy machinery like JCBs and cranes, banned under relevant laws, is being used. The DMO Pulwama has failed to act and is complicit in allowing this work. I urge the Dy CM to hand over this case to the J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for a thorough investigation,” he said.
Illegal mining is reportedly widespread across other regions as well, including Sukhnag Nallah in Beerwah Budgam, Vaishav in Kulgam, and Rambiara in Shopian.
“Except for the DC in Shopian, most district commissioners in J&K are not proactive in curbing the mining mafia. I appeal to CM Omar Abdullah and Dy CM Surinder Choudhary to take stringent action against this menace,” Dr Bhat added.