Qayoom Wani expresses concern over illegal mining

Srinagar, Dec 3: The Jammu and  Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani, has expressed grave concern over the *unchecked mining of sand, stones, bajri, mud, and other construction materials in the rivers, nallahs, and surrounding areas of Baramulla district.

In a statement he said that this unregulated activity is wreaking havoc on water bodies, irrigation channels, springs, and public safety.

“Key water bodies, including River Jhelum, Narbal River, and Nallah Ferozpora, have fallen victim to excessive and often illegal extraction of resources. Notably, the use of heavy machinery in mining operations, which is possibly in violation of legal norms, has exacerbated the damage. The situation is being exploited under the pretext of royalty fees collected by the Geology and Mining Department, which has failed to protect these natural resources,” Wani said.

He has urged the chief minister Omar Abdullah to intervene into the matter.