Jhelum in peril : Unchecked sand mining causes irreparable damage
Baramulla, Feb 16: The river Jhelum, lifeline of Baramulla district, is facing an unprecedented environmental crisis due to rampant and unchecked illegal sand mining. The damage to the river’s ecosystem is clearly visible, particularly at Jahama, where large-scale extraction of sand and boulders has carved deep trenches into the riverbed, severely impacting its natural structure and flow.
The unabated and relentless mining of sand from the riverbed has dramatically altered the Jhelum’s natural topography. The river's ability to sustain its ecological balance is being compromised severely.
According to locals, due to a deficit in rainfall, the water level in the Jhelum has already fallen considerably. The illegal removal of sand further aggravates the situation by deepening the riverbed, causing water levels to drop even further.
Mushtaq Ahmad, an environmentalist said, “Unsustainable mining accelerates riverbank erosion, increasing the likelihood of flooding. The eroded banks also weaken surrounding land, posing a threat to infrastructure and human settlements near the river,”
Ahmad said the deepening of the river channel due to excessive sand removal increases the likelihood of severe flooding. The weakened banks may not be able to withstand high water levels during rainy seasons, putting the local population at risk.
Ahmad added that by removing more sediment than the river can naturally replenish, sand mining leads to a deeper and narrower riverbed. This might result in an increased water flow speed, which further destabilises the banks and increases the risk of flash floods.
The Jahama area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is surrounded by water. It resembles an island. The continuous sand mining has eroded banks of this tiny island and if the sand mining continues, it will create flood like situation in the area which will havoc not only the Jahama area but scores of adjacent villages too.
The impact of the unabated sand mining has also affected severely the ecosystem of this waterbody. The Jehlum supports a diverse range of fish species and other aquatic organisms. The destruction of riverbeds due to sand mining disrupts breeding and feeding grounds, impacting local fisheries and the livelihoods dependent on them.
The local residents, while expressing concern over the authorities silence on the issue, said due to the damage to the river Jehlum, the illegal mining has of-late extended beyond
Social and environmental damage, deeply affecting the social fabric of the region. Ghulam Rasool, a retired teacher of the area said that unregulated sand extraction has also given rise to the criminal activities in the area. He said the lack of regulation has created a parallel black market for sand. “The illegal trade has introduced easy, quick money into the hands of many youths, leading to an increase in substance abuse and drug addiction. The unchecked flow of illegal earnings has fostered a culture of delinquency and crime,” added Rasool.
While urging the authorities to intervene immediately, the locals said that the government must take decisive steps to regulate sand mining. They said Jehlum has been the backbone of Baramulla for centuries, sustaining life and livelihoods.
“If prompt action is not taken, the unchecked destruction caused by illegal sand mining could turn this vital waterway into an environmental catastrophe, with long-term repercussions for both nature and society,” said Abdul Razak, a concerned resident of Ladoora Baramulla.
