Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 7: A high-level joint team constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) today conducted on-ground inspections in south and central Kashmir to assess the alleged illegal earth mining, with district administrations ordering a halt to permissions and assuring restoration and compensation.
The team-comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)-visited Zadoora in Pulwama and Rangeen Kultreh and Gowherpora in Budgam’s Chadoora area.
Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama and Budgam accompanied the inspection.
During the visit, locals and orchardists alleged large-scale extraction of soil and minerals over the past two to three years, blaming “mining mafia” and naming a private company for extensive damage to orchards and Karewa land.
They demanded strict action, compensation for losses, and scientific restoration of degraded sites.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Dr Basharat Qayoom, designated by the NGT as the coordinating officer in the case, assured residents that damaged sites in Zadoora would be restored and affected orchardists compensated.
In Budgam, Deputy Commissioner Athar Aamir Khan directed the District Mineral Officer to stop issuing any permissions for earth mining and also assured restoration and compensation.
The inspection follows an order passed by the NGT’s Principal Bench on February 6 this year, after a petition filed by environmental activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat highlighted extensive earth extraction across Karewa plateaus in Pulwama and Budgam.
The tribunal had termed the allegations serious and ordered a joint committee to conduct a detailed site visit and submit a report within ten weeks.
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