SRINAGAR: A joint inspection team, formed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), visited illegal earth mining sites in Zadoora, Pulwama, and Rangeen Kultreh, Chadoora, Budgam, on Tuesday to investigate allegations of environmental violations.
The Chenab Times has learned that the inspection team comprised senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). They were accompanied by the Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama and Budgam during the site visits, which were initiated following directives from the NGT earlier this year. The NGT’s order came in response to a petition filed by environmental activist Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat.
During their assessment, the joint team engaged with local orchardists and residents from the affected villages of Zadoora, Rangeen Kultreh, and Gowherpora. Officials representing the Revenue Department, Mining Department, Pollution Control Committee, and Police were also present at the locations.
Residents voiced concerns about large-scale illegal earth extraction that has reportedly been ongoing for the past two to three years. They appealed for stringent action against the entities involved, specifically naming NKC Projects Pvt Ltd, a private company. The community also requested compensation for the damages incurred and the restoration of affected Karewa and orchard lands through appropriate landscaping techniques.
Basharat Qayoom, Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama, who has been appointed as the coordinating officer for this case by the NGT, assured the residents that the damaged sites in Zadoora would undergo restoration and that affected orchardists would receive compensation. Similarly, in Budgam, Deputy Commissioner Athar Amir Khan provided similar assurances and instructed the District Mineral Officer to immediately halt any further permissions for earth mining activities in the district.
The NGT’s Principal Bench had, on February 6, mandated the formation of this joint committee to conduct a comprehensive site inspection and present its findings within ten weeks. The case, presided over by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, noted that the allegations pointed towards significant environmental transgressions that warranted immediate verification.
Submissions made before the tribunal indicated that approximately 1,000 kanals of Karewa and orchard land across Pulwama and Budgam districts have been impacted by unregulated mining operations. The petitioner supported their claims with geotagged evidence, including photographs, lists of affected farmers, and official documents obtained through the Right to Information Act.
Allegations further detailed the use of heavy machinery, such as hydraulic excavators and JCBs, for extracting clay, sand, and bajri without obtaining the necessary environmental clearances, consent to operate, or valid mining leases. These actions are in contravention of the Jammu and Kashmir Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016, and the Sustainable Sand Mining Guidelines.
The NGT has tasked the inspection committee with several key responsibilities. These include determining the precise extent of illegal extraction, identifying all individuals or entities responsible for the violations, assessing the level of compliance with environmental regulations, and proposing both remedial actions and punitive measures.
The tribunal also referenced a Supreme Court judgment in the Deepak Kumar vs State of Haryana case. This ruling emphasizes the requirement for prior environmental clearance even for minor mineral mining projects involving less than five hectares, underscoring the ecological risks associated with unchecked extraction activities.
The matter is slated for its next hearing on May 18, 2026.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
