Srinagar Dec 12(KNS): The National Green Tribunal -NGT in a fresh case has issued notice to Chief Secretary J&K Govt, Inspector General of Police Kashmir zone, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Director Geology & Mining, Member Secretary JK Pollution Control Committee and Contractor Ranbir Singh for continuous illegal riverbed mining in Sasara stream (nallah) in Pulwama around Chatripora-Bandzoo villages.
The NGT bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi 9Judicial Member) and Dr A Senthil Veil (Expert Member) on December 5th issued notices to J&K Govt through Chief Secretary and other officers mentioned above and asked them to file a response one week before the next date of hearing. The case is now listed for another hearing on 28th March 2025.
Details available reveal that the petitioner Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat through his counsel Advocate Saurabh Sharma urged the NGT that Riverbed Mining (RBM) was being done in Sasara nallah at Bandzoo Bridge downstream between Bandzoo and Chatripora villages in Pulwama District by one Ranbir Singh who has been granted an Environmental Clearance (EC) dated 05.04.2022.
“As per the Specific Condition No. 53 of the said EC no Heavy Machinery/JCB can be used for River Bed Mining but the said Mr. Ranbir Singh has been using Heavy Machinery/JCB in the said Sasara nallah which is a violation of the specific condition of the said EC.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe use of the Heavy Machinery/JCB was being done and we have GPS photos to prove that and the same were submitted before the NGT who took cognizance of the issue. I had brought the matter into notice of Chief Secretary and IGP Kashmir through emailed complaints also but no action was taken , prompting me to seek intervention of NGT” said Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, the petitioner in the case
Sasara nallah is a tributary of Rambiara which originates from Pir Panjaal mountains between Shopian and Poonch Districts . The Deep mining was being done in violation of J&K Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016. “ This is impacting g local agricultural fields and apple orchards as the water supply in irrigation channels is halted and springs are drying up “ said a local resident of Bandzaoo Pulwama Fayaz Ahmad
“Prima facie, the averments made in the application raise substantial questions relating to the environment arising out of the implementation of the enactments specified in Schedule I to the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. 4. Let notice of application along-with copies of documents attached with the same be issued to the respondents requiring them to file their responses thereto at least one week before the date of hearing hereby fixed” reads the order issued by National Green Tribunal -NGT on December 5th 2024(KNS).