Despite NGT ban, illegal mining continues in Beas

Despite a complete ban on mining in the Beas and its tributaries, illegal operations continue unabated near Jaisinghpur, primarily due to the lack of enforcement by the police and the Mining Department. While the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the state government have strictly prohibited mining and the use of heavy machinery, JCB machines and other equipment are openly used to extract materials from the river and its rivulets, violating regulations. The state government reportedly loses significant royalty revenue daily, while higher authorities remain largely unresponsive.

According to local residents, illegal mining had significantly reduced in previous years due to police raids and the impounding of vehicles under orders from the NGT and state authorities. However, with weakened enforcement and administrative oversight, mining activities have surged. Jaisinghpur SDM Sanjiv Thakur confirmed that while police and mining officials conduct regular raids, the mining operations now largely occur at night. Efforts to contact the District Mining Officer for comments were unsuccessful.

The effects of illegal mining are severe. Numerous water supply schemes, transmission lines, and both private and government structures, are at risk. In the previous monsoon season, the collapse of Kabir Bhawan and several transmission lines was linked to the destabilising impact of illegal mining. Additionally, wells worth Rs 20 crore, built by the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) department for water supply, face imminent threat as mining activities continue in close proximity. The water level in certain sections of the Beas has reportedly fallen by 10-15 feet due to deep trenches left by mining operations. Despite repeated complaints from IPH’s Executive Engineer, no action has been taken by the District Mining Officer or relevant authorities.

A visit to the Tehsildar’s office in Jaisinghpur revealed no official records specifying leased areas designated for mining activities. Many stone crushers have extended mining operations into prohibited parts of the Beas and its tributaries, having exhausted resources within designated leased areas. Regulations require that leased mining areas be marked with red flags, as stipulated by the NGT, and that no mining occurs within 100 meters of riverbanks. However, such markings are conspicuously absent, enabling the mining mafia to operate freely across the river.