Nonstop cutting of soil puts lives at risk in Awantipora

Despite Government ban, illegal soil extraction going on in many areas of Pulwama district. -Excelsior/Younis Khaliq
Despite Government ban, illegal soil extraction going on in many areas of Pulwama district. -Excelsior/Younis Khaliq

Suhail Bhat
AWANTIPORA, Feb 22: Unabated earth cutting on uplands in and around Awantipora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district has put over a dozen villages vulnerable to landslides and flash floods, threatening the lives of residents.
The locals blame alleged nexus between soil mafia and Government officials for their woes as the authorities appear hesitant to take action against the offenders because of the corruption.
“The rampant cutting of soil has put thousands of people who live near these hillocks at risk. During heavy rains several households have to leave their homes for safety,” Mohammad Shafi, a resident of Malangpora said, adding in 2015 women died after a landslide struck her house in Sonrigund area here.
The contractors who use Earth Movers and bulldozers in broad daylight can be seen cutting soil in several areas of Awantipora including Parigam, Puchal, Lajoora,  Malangpora, and Sonrigund. “The cutting of soil never stops. Sometimes the Revenue officials come and seize the machinery but the exercise is done to demand extra money from the contractors. They stop the work for few hours but turn a blind eye later,” a local said, adding the authorities take huge amount of money to let this illegal act flourish.
As per Section 133-A of J&K Land Revenue Act, excavation of soil is banned for personal gains. Locals said the continuous plying of loaded tippers on the newly laid roads have damaged them and cover the road surface with a sheet of mud. “Everyday, our area is shrouded under a blanket of dust and that has led to the deterioration of our health,” another local said. He added: “The places used to serve natural pastures to the cattle but the continuous cutting of soil has snatched these natural assets from them. Besides, the hills were home to several plant species and would provide shelter for the birds. We used to wake to the chirping of birds in the morning but that has been replaced by the roaring of vehicles, ” he said.
An official of the soil conservation department said the hills were made of fragile alluvial soil and unscientific cutting of soil might have disastrous impacts on the environment.  “It disfigures the landscape, invites soil erosion and reduces the green cover. The continuous cutting of soil makes the surface loose which can trigger heavy landslides causing loss of life and property. Apart from stopping the soil cutting other measures like planting more trees should be done to mitigate the loses,” Mushtaq Ahmad, a soil expert said.
The locals of these villages lamented that they have been raising this issue for the past several years but the Government didn’t pay heed to them and that has aggravated the situation. “We have made repeated pleas to the local administration but they failed to put a check on it. They are putting our lives at risk for the sake of money. We appeal Government to free our area from this mess,” Shabir Ahmad, another local said.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Ghulam Mohammad Dar, said no permissions have been granted for the cutting of the earth and whoever is indulging in the act will be strongly dealt with. We have completely banned the soil cutting but rare incidents might still be happening. Our endeavor is to end this menace completely,” he said.
Apart from a proposed halt station at Ratnipora where earth cutting is needed to make room for the Railway Station permission would not be provided anywhere. “We have to give permission for the Railway Station for the larger good of the society.  At some places, people are doing it illegally. Last week I have seized around 10 vehicles that were carrying the banned material,” he said, adding the priced saffron land has been freed from the land mafia.

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