Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat
The illegal soil excavation is destroying the Karewas of Kashmir. The organised groups comprising of land developers , property dealers and tipper drivers seem to have been given a free hand by the authorities to deface these Karewas also called “Wodder” in Kashmiri language. Karewas are plateau-like terraces found mostly in central Kashmir and parts of South and North Kashmir. Majority of these Kerwas are located in Budgam district. 50 % of Kashmir valley is occupied by wodders or Karewas. Authorities seem to be least bothered to undertake a massive crackdown against the soil excavators who are now operating in the broad day light across several areas of Budgam, Pulwama and Pattan areas. The Karewas of central Kashmir’s Budgam district are under continuous threat of extinction as the soil excavation work at these sites is not at all coming to halt since last more than a decade now. An estimated 30 to 40% of the Karewas in Khansahib and Chadoora areas of Budgam alone have been raised to ground after continuous plunder by huge soil excavating machines and JCB’s.
Background:
The soil excavation work in Pattan, Pulwama and Budgam Karewas began around mid 1990s after the work on Qazi Gund -Baramulla rail project began. Hundreds of tippers, trucks and other load carriers were pressed into work by the various construction firms who were given contract for this Railway project. To create elevated railway tracks lot of soil was needed. The karewas of Pulwama and Budga initially became the direct target. The huge excavators thus plundered the karewas by luring the farmers who owned land in these karewas. The soil which has been used for making elevated railway tracks from Qazigund to Baramulla has 90% of the soil obtained from these Karewas.
A beautiful hillock at village Khanda in Chadoora tehsil of Budgam was raised to ground within a year or so. Chadoora Karewas used to be famous for almond orchards but the almond production has been reduced to a great extent. The farmers are equally responsible for this mess as they welcomed construction firms to bulldoze their karewas for petty gains.
The saffron cultivation done on thousands of hectares of the Karewa land especially in Parigam , Kaisermulla , Sarai Khampora , Kuzweira, Kultreh and a number of other villages has also reduced.
“We approached SDM Chadoora many times but that did not help. The Revenue department authorities are mute spectators in this whole game. The whole area has become so much polluted that it is very difficult to walk on the roads as there is lot of dust everywhere due to movement of tippers carrying excavated soil” says Fayaz Ahmad a local resident of Nowbugh Chadoora
The cases of bronchial asthama and other respiratory tract diseases has increased to a great extent in the areas bordering Chadoora and Pulwama. The crops, fruits orchards of the whole of the area has been degraded by the dust emanating from the site as well as of the soil coming out from the thousands of tippers plying on the roads. The locals also allege that the High court had ordered for stopping the excavation work but the authorities have failed to implement the High Court orders. Land developers also use the soil from Budgam Karewas to fill water bodies in Bemina , Hyderpora , Humhama areas which enables them to create residential colonies in these areas.
Crackdown by DC Baramulla:
During the month of April this year , the District Magistrate (Deputy Commissioner) Baramulla acted against illegal extraction of soil from Karewas of Zangam Pattan. After credible inputs of rampant excavation taking place at Zangam , the District Magistrate Yasha Mudgal accompanied by police team raided this place . On seeing the team, the culprits tried to flee but were chased and taken into custody. Around 14 vehicles including nine Tippers, two Tractors, 2 JCB machines and a Maruti Car were seized on spot. The Deputy Commissioner Baramulla issued strict directions to civil and police administration of Pattan on curbing the menace of soil excavation from Karewas. Expressing her displeasure over illegal earth excavation, the DC impressed upon SDM Pattan to ensure that strict and effective ban on illegal defacing of Karewas.
Conclusion :
Authorities especially the District Administration of Budgam and Pulwama must make sure that illegal excavation of soil is stopped once for all from Karewas. We hope both that District Administration in both these districts will constitute special squads assisted by police to stop this illegal practice. Those involved in this heinous crime should be booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).
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