The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — In the absence of any regulation and accountability, vested interest elements have defaced the once beautiful lookalike island in southern Kashmir’s saffron town Pampore.

Despite the ban on mining, the vested interest elements are busy extracting sand and eroding soil on the banks of river Jehlum in Pampore.

Some locals, while speaking to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, said that there is a mafia that is controlling this sand extraction trade. They said some people own 20 to 30 boats to extract the sand. They said they have repeatedly raised the matter with the concerned officials but nothing changed on the ground.

The Geology and Mining Department has failed to initiate any action against these vested interest elements.

The locals said that Jammu and Kashmir Bank had once announced to set up a park on this ‘island’ for the general public, but now this land has been defaced by these vested interest elements.

They appealed to authorities to look into the matter and take action against those involved in illegal sand extraction.

AWANTIPORA — Dozens of stone quarry workers in the Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have demanded permission for the resumption of their work.

The stone quarry workers told the news agency KNO that their work was stopped three months ago which has rendered hundreds of people jobless.

"We have been left jobless and our families have been pushed to starvation," said Ghulam Ahmad, a stone quarry worker. He added, “We have been associated with this work for decades. Now, what will we do for a living?”

“Our livelihood is being snatched. If the ban persists, where will we go? How would we feed our families?” asked another worker.

Most of the workers, who also live in the vicinity, said, “The government says ‘Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas’ but has snatched the livelihood of poor families. We were paying a government-prescribed amount as royalty and there was no illegal work going on.”

Another local, Bashir Ahmad, said they have been doing it for generations and had been earning their bread and butter from it, but the ban on quarrying has brought them to the brink of starvation. “The skill of stone carving which had been passed on from generation to generation is now under threat. How can we take any other job at this age,” the 54-year-old Bashir said.

The workers said they have been visiting the office of the DMO and DC Pulwama who “assured us that we will be allowed to work within a few days, but three months have passed and we are still not allowed to resume our work.”

Despite giving royalty to the department and having all documents, the authorities are still not allowing us to work, they added.

The workers have appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and DC Pulwama to “listen to genuine demands and allow to resume the work so that the families won't suffer anymore.”

PULWAMA — In a bid to tackle the issue of illegal mining in the district, authorities in Pulwama have taken decisive action, seizing several vehicles and impounding a mechanized boat. The District Administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Basharat Qayoom, has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining activities.

Under the direction of Dr. Basharat Qayoom, the Geology and Mining department has intensified efforts to curb illegal mining in Pulwama district. In line with this, the department has established checkposts, commonly known as Nakas, in various areas to monitor and prevent the unauthorized extraction of minerals.

During a recent operation, led by DMO Pulwama, Fayaz Ahmad, a significant number of vehicles transporting illegally-mined material were apprehended in different parts of the district. The crackdown resulted in the seizure and impoundment of seven vehicles, including a JCB, while a mechanized boat was also confiscated in the Gagribal area of Awantipora.

Drivers were cautioned by the departmental team to ensure they only purchase minerals from legal sources and refrain from engaging in illegal mining practices. The administration has adopted a firm stance against any form of unauthorized mining and transportation of minerals, with individuals involved in such activities to be dealt with severely under relevant legal provisions.

This recent operation builds upon the administration's ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining in Pulwama district. Local residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any instances of illegal mining activities to the authorities. Such reports enable prompt action to be taken against those responsible.

Furthermore, authorities have called upon the general public to obtain construction materials, including minerals, from authorized vendors at government-notified rates. To ensure convenience and efficiency, online purchase options have been made available, guaranteeing timely service delivery within the specified time frame.

The crackdown on illegal mining reflects the commitment of the District Administration Pulwama to protect natural resources and maintain a sustainable environment. By taking strict action against those involved in illegal mining practices, authorities aim to preserve the integrity of the district's mineral resources and ensure their responsible and lawful utilization.

PULWAMA — In its continuous drive and action against illicit mining, extraction and transporting of minerals from government land, three JCB machines involved in illegal mining in Pulwama were seized by Geology and Mining Department along with the local police.

As per reports, a joint team of Police Station Litter and Geology and Mining Department raided different locations and seized three JCB machines, which were found involved in illicit/unauthorised extraction of minerals from Ranbir Nallah at Litter Pulwama.

To this effect, case FIR No. 6/2023 U/S 379/IPC 21 MMDR Act and FIR No. 7/2023 U/S 379, 353, 341/IPC 21 MMDR have been registered in Police Station Litter and investigation has been set into motion.

Meanwhile, the police has urged all the members of the public to adhere to the law and terms and conditions of their permits, wherever applicable, and to not destroy the ecology of their areas by engaging in illicit mining of minerals otherwise strict action under law will be taken against them in future also.

SRINAGAR — The Geological Survey of India (GSI) on Thursday said it has found lithium deposits for the first time in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a statement, GSI said that it has found 5.9 million tonnes of lithium-inferred resources in the Reasi district. It said lithium-inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes have been found in Salal-Haimana area of Reasi.

The lithium deposits are very critical for India as the government has been focussing on electric cars.

District Mineral Officer Reasi, Shafiq Ahmad, while talking to the news agency KNO, said there was the presence of bauxite in composite form and during its further processing, lithium was also discovered.

“GSI has now approved it and it will be taken for auction after lithium reserves were found. We had explored it earlier also but now this time it has been approved by GSI,” he said.

He added that it will now be taken up for auction at the country and UT level as it is a major mineral and has been found for the first time in the country.

Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Babila Rakwal told KNO that they are further working on it and she will soon get the exact input from the concerned officials.

SRINAGAR — The Geological Survey of India (GSI) on Thursday said it has found lithium deposits for the first time in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a statement, GSI said that it has found 5.9 million tonnes of lithium-inferred resources in the Reasi district. It said lithium-inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes have been found in Salal-Haimana area of Reasi.

The lithium deposits are very critical for India as the government has been focussing on electric cars.

District Mineral Officer Reasi, Shafiq Ahmad, while talking to the news agency KNO, said there was the presence of bauxite in composite form and during its further processing, lithium was also discovered.

“GSI has now approved it and it will be taken for auction after lithium reserves were found. We had explored it earlier also but now this time it has been approved by GSI,” he said.

He added that it will now be taken up for auction at the country and UT level as it is a major mineral and has been found for the first time in the country.

Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Babila Rakwal told KNO that they are further working on it and she will soon get the exact input from the concerned officials.

TRAL — Intensifying its efforts to crack the whip on illegal mining of minerals, Geology & Mining Department continues to lay Nakas in several areas of the Pulwama district.

On the directions of the DMO Pulwama, the recent Nakas were laid at different locations of Tral to book the defaulters.

On the basis of the complaints, the team laid Nakas at Nowdal, Lalgam, Chandrigam and Aaligund areas, where they blocked link roads to stop illegal mining.

It is worthwhile to mention here that Geology and Mining Department is continuously holding inspections during daytime and night hours in the areas having apprehension of illegal mining activities in Pulwama.

PULWAMA — Three JCB machines, two dumpers and two tippers involved in illegal mining in Karimabad and Awantipora area of Pulwama were seized by Geology and Mining Department last night.

As per reports, the operation was carried out by Geology Mining Department in areas of Pulwama as a result of which the whole machinery along dumpers was seized from the spot and later on seized by DMO Pulwama. The special team of the Geology and Mining department carried out the operation in Karimabad and Awantipora last night.

Both the machines and dumper and tippers after seizure were kept in the custody of police till the realization of the penalty from them as per the rules of the Geology and Mining Department.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary has already cautioned the field staff of the Geology and Mining Department to remain vigilant and alert against violators and illegal miners if found involved in illegal mining activities.

It is worthwhile to mention here that Geology and Mining Department is continuously holding inspections during daytime and night hours in the areas having apprehension of illegal mining activities in Pulwama.