Srinagar, Feb 5: Illegal mining continues to plague various districts across Jammu & Kashmir, with reports suggesting that the Mining Department has failed to tackle the issue effectively.
Despite official claims of stringent measures, unauthorized extraction and transportation of minerals remain unchecked, leading to environmental damage and significant revenue loss for the government.
Sources reveal that Udhampur district is among the hotspots where large-scale irregularities have been observed. Crushers operating in the district are allegedly involved in practices where massive quantities of minerals—running into thousands of metric tons (MT)—are being extracted and transported without authorization. This has raised serious questions about the department’s oversight and enforcement mechanisms.
The magnitude of the issue is alarming. Evidence suggests that materials categorized as low-value disposals, such as ordinary earth, are being processed into high-value minerals like sand, aggregates and dust.
The misclassification allows operators to exploit loopholes, avoid government royalties, and pocket substantial profits. The staggering volumes involved in these operations underscore the systemic nature of the problem.
While senior government officials are conducting surprise visits to curb illegal mining, enforcement at district levels remains inconsistent. Despite visible discrepancies, inspections by officials have failed to detect or act against these large-scale violations.
Observers suspect that such negligence could either stem from inefficiency or deliberate collusion within the system.
Public concerns are mounting as environmental degradation and government revenue loss become increasingly apparent. Citizens are demanding immediate and decisive action, including a comprehensive investigation to uncover the depth of the issue and hold those responsible accountable.
The unchecked extraction of thousands of MT of minerals not only violates the law but also poses a significant threat to the region’s natural resources. The administration now faces the challenge of addressing these unlawful practices and restoring public confidence.
The scale of the problem suggests that stronger monitoring mechanisms, transparent oversight, and strict accountability measures are essential to end this crisis. The coming days will reveal whether the government can rise to the occasion and take firm action against illegal mining operations that continue to thrive across Jammu & Kashmir. [KNT]
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