By Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag:- Despite the J&K government banning illegal extraction of stones, boulders and sand from streams in the District, the practice is going on unabated in several streams include Lidder Pahalgam and Sadura Kamad bridge area of south Kashmir Anantnag district.
Sources said that heavy extraction of sand and boulders is going on in Lidder pahalgam area of Anantnag District. While the Divisional Commissioner Anantnag vide order No. 10750-69/DMA Dated 28-01-16 had directed complete halt on illegal extraction of stones, boulders and sand from the streams, the directives have never been implemented. Sources said.
A huge number of tippers and JCB dozers were seen in these streams in area but the authorities didn’t take any action against them the officials are in deep slumber and looking that they taking money from them, Sources added.
The illegal extraction of sand and boulders, according to residents, is causing damage to agricultural land as the water level in the stream is decreasing.
“Some years back, there were dozens of springs and streams flowing through this area. But today the water level is decreasing even in lidder due to illegal extraction of sand and boulders,” locals said.
Today we are forced to fetch water after covering a long distance, said a delegation from saller area. The stream environs look like a bus stand in presence of huge number of tippers and dozers. We are surprised why the district administration is not looking into the issue,” they said.
Meanwhile a resident of Ashmuqam told to INS that the people made it business to extraction of boulders and sand in streams we have thousands of miles of agriculture land aside the streams where dozens of springs and streams flowing through this area But today the water level is decreasing even in stream (Nallah) Bringis due to illegal extraction of sand and boulders. We request the District administration to look into the matter and to halt on illegal extraction of stones, boulders and sand in area.
Meanwhile INS tried to contact District officer Geology and mining department Anantnag but he didn’t pick up our call.
