Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 29: Following directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding illegal riverbed mining in the Sukhnag river, the district administration Budgam today constituted a committee to assess the damage caused.
The committee, after a meeting on September 1, is also scheduled to conduct a spot visit for a first-hand assessment.
In this regard, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate Beerwah, referring to O.A No:- 1211/2024 titled Raja Muzaffar Bhat Vs Union Territory of J&K & Others pertaining to Constitution of Committee for assessment of damage caused due to mining/Short Term Permits, issued a communication.
“The Deputy Commissioner Budgam has vide order endorsement No: DCB/ARA/CC/ 2025/1572-78 dated 27.08.2025 constituted a committee for proper assessment of the damage caused due to illegal mining, with the following composition,” the communication reads.
The committee members include Executive Engineer, Flood Spill Channel Division Narbal; Divisional Forest Officer Budgam; District Mineral Officer Budgam; Block Development Officers Beerwah and Sukhnag; and Assistant Director Fisheries Budgam.
The communication also states that consequent upon the above, a meeting is scheduled on 01.09.2025 at 11.00 am. As such, all the members are hereby requested to make it convenient to attend the meeting.
Notably, the Joint Committee (JC) constituted by the NGT to investigate the destruction of Sukhnag river, in its preliminary findings, had observed that illegal riverbed mining was taking place.
Based on the committee’s findings, the NGT had earlier summoned the Deputy Commissioner Budgam and ordered that no illegal mining should take place in the river.
Advocate Saurabh Sharma, counsel for petitioner Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, had told the tribunal that “under the garb of disposal permits, loot and plunder has been taking place in Sukhnag for the last more than three years.”
Follow our WhatsApp channel
