Uri residents hold protest over rampant gypsum mining

Srinagar, Aug 10: Residents of Dachna Salamabad in Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district staged a protest on Saturday against the rampant gypsum mining taking place in their village.

The protesters criticised the administration for failing to address the issue and demanded an immediate ban on the mining operations in the area.

Abdul Jabbar Naik, a former sarpanch of the village, expressed the community’s distress and said their lives have become hell.

“Our lives have become miserable. The mining is conducted right in the middle of the village, posing a severe threat to our health and well-being,” he said.

“The village’s water supply has been contaminated with gypsum, forcing us to drink polluted water. Additionally, our agricultural and horticultural produce has been severely impacted. The pollution is so high that our fruits and vegetables often fail to grow,” he said.

“It is alarming that this activity is taking place just 50 meters away from a primary school, which endangers the students lives,” Naik added.

Aiyaz Farooq, a resident of Bagna Salamabad, a nearby village, said that the local roads have been damaged due to the frequent movement of tippers transporting gypsum. “The noise pollution from these vehicles is continuous, and we are enduring sleepless nights,” he said.

Farooq questioned as to why gypsum mining continues despite clear directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banning such activities in the area. “It is important to investigate who is permitting these operations,” he said.

Locals are also concerned about the impact on two nearby wildlife sanctuaries, Limber and Lachipora. “These sanctuaries are home to Markhor species, and the mining poses a significant threat to their habitat,” they warned.

They also complained of an increase in tuberculosis cases in the area attributing it to the unchecked mining.

“We appealed to the J&K Lieutenant Governor, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, and Deputy Commissioner Baramulla to impose an immediate and complete ban on the mining activities and take strict action against the violators,” they said.

SDM Uri Javid Ahmad Rather, JKNC District President Baramulla Dr Sajjad Shafi Uri, and other officials visited the area and met locals. SDM assured them that the matter would be taken seriously.

Tehsildar Boniyar, Mohd Najibullah Shah, told Greater Kashmir that they have ordered a halt to the mining activities in the area. “We are currently in the process of checking their documents,” he said.