Mining in Sukhnag: Heavy Loss to State Exchequer
The riverbed mining across Jammu & Kashmir has destroyed our rivers and streams. It has caused huge environmental disasters and this is a known fact, but very few people know that this is causing huge economic loss to our state exchequer as well. The recent details provided by Geology & Mining Department J&K to National Green Tribunal (NGT) reveal that mere Rs 1.53 crore rupees have been realised as compensation in last 4 years against the 77 short term permits (STPs). These permits have been issued to NKC Projects Private Ltd that is working on construction of Srinagar Ring Road. These STPs have been issued on the recommendation of Deputy Commissioner Budgam as per the information provided by District Mineral Officer (DMO) to Member Secretary JK Pollution Control Committee, who further submitted these details before the NGT where this author has filed a formal petition.
Few months back the NGT had constituted a Joint Committee (JC) to examine the destruction of Sukhnag river. The committee in its preliminary findings and observations has said that illegal Riverbed Mining has been taking place in Sukhnag on a large scale. Based on the findings of the said committee the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Deputy Commissioner Budgam to appeal before it virtually in next hearing & ordered that no illegal mining should take place in the river. For more than three weeks the work has been stopped and this is really a great achievement.
Joint Committee’s findings
The members of the NGT constituted committee that comprised senior officers of Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MoEF), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), JK Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) & Director Fisheries J&K Govt had visited the site in Sail and Kangripora villages in Beerwah on December 26th 2024 along with local SDM, Tehsildar, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) & SHO. The petitioner in the case Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat and local residents were also present on the occasion. The Joint Committee later on submitted the report to NGT on January 13th and matter was listed for hearing on January 15th 2025.
The Joint Committee’s preliminary findings submitted to NGT reads:
“During the site inspection by the Joint Committee, it has been found that illegal mining has taken place in the Sukhnag River. Due to diversion/disruption of water supply caused by the mining/illegal extraction of minor minerals and boulders, the trout fish farms of Peerzada have suffered losses. The mining activities and extraction of boulders from the Sukhnag river, has affected the water sources and resulted in the increased turbidity and decrease in water level. The Geology and Mining Department has issued 163 STPs to the executing agencies, viz. PWD (R&B), PMGSY, NHAI, SE Hydraulic, NBCC, on the authorisation of Deputy Commissioner, Budgam and Executive Engineer Flood Spill Division Narbal during the year 2020-2024 for the purpose of developmental projects. The area upon which the Sukhnag nallah flows in Beerwah Sub Division of District Budgam is a state land recorded in the revenue record. It is recorded in the occupation of state.”
Loot under the garb of STPs
Advocate Saurabh Sharma who is pleading this case on my behalf told NGT that under the garb of disposal permits-short term permits (STPs) the loot and plunder has been taking place in Sukhnag for the last more than 3 years.
The NGT three member bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) Sudhir Agarwal (Judicial Member) and Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member) in its order on January 15th 2025 said :
“Since neither the Respondents No. 2 (DC Budgam) is represented nor the reply on his behalf has been filed, therefore, we direct Respondent No. 2 (DC Budgam) to appear virtually on the next date of hearing. Respondent No. 2 (DC Budgam) is also directed to ensure that no illegal sand and boulder mining in the area concerned takes place without requisite permission, environmental clearance and without complying with the other norms till the next date of hearing. It will be open to the learned Counsel for the Applicant to file response to the report of the joint Committee within four weeks.”
Conclusion
I appreciate the report prepared by the NGT’s Joint Committee who have clearly highlighted the loot and plunder taking place in Sukhnag. I wish the Govt had acted 3 years back when the damage was not much. NGT is doing the job of executive in J&K vis a vis environmental conservation. What all I had been saying for the last more than 3 years has proven to be correct and the Joint Committee’s report is self explanatory.
I will push for payment of Environmental Compensation (EC) by the company involved in illegal mining along with Govt Departments / officers who have allowed this illegal work under the garb of short term permits which are all vague and illegal. It is really unfortunate that 163 short term permits (STPs) have been issued under the garb of disposal permits in Sukhnag for the last 3 years which are supposed to be issued during weathering and floods. This is not only an environmental disaster but an economic disaster as well because not even 1 % of the compensation has been realised by the Geology & Mining Department? This needs an in depth inquiry by the Deputy Chief Minister Mr Surinder Chaudhary who is also J&K’s Mining Minister. He must referrer this case to ACB or CBI.
Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat is Founder of Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement & Chairman Climate Action Group.