Illegal mining in Palampur rivulets dries up water supply

Illegal mining in the rivers and rivulets of Palampur’s lower areas has severely impacted lift irrigation and drinking water supply schemes, with alarming consequences for local infrastructure. This unsanctioned activity has not only dried up vital water resources but also threatens transmission lines, local pathways and even cremation grounds. The Mol khud, a primary water source for Palampur’s lower areas, has been hit the hardest. The Irrigation and Public Health Department has historically drawn water from this source for several of its supply schemes, which are now at risk.

The mining practices employed have been reckless and damaging, using heavy machinery like JCBs to dig deep trenches far beyond legal limits. Under state mining policy, digging in riverbeds is restricted to a depth of one meter with a valid lease, yet trenches as deep as two to three meters have appeared in many stretches of the river. Despite complaints from local residents, law enforcement and mining authorities have largely ignored the issue, allegedly due to collusion with the mining operators.

The impact on local water resources has been severe. The lift irrigation scheme, which serves several villages, has dried up entirely due to the unregulated digging in the Mol khud. Since its initiation in 2011, the scheme had provided essential water for irrigation and drinking purposes, but deep trenches have drained the rivulet, rendering the project inoperable.

A recent field visit revealed extensive and unscientific sand and stone mining practices, which have left deep trenches and stagnant water in the riverbed, disrupting the natural water flow. This stagnation has adversely affected agricultural productivity, as there is now insufficient water available for irrigation.

Local residents report that the damage goes beyond irrigation; several small and large culverts, as well as transmission lines and paths, have also suffered due to large-scale mining. Moreover, the groundwater level has dropped significantly, leading to the drying up of departmental borewells.

An official from the Irrigation and Public Health Department acknowledged the severity of the issue, confirming that illegal mining is undermining water supply schemes. His office has already requested intervention from the District Mining Officer, Kangra, to address the problem, but so far, the local administration has yet to take concrete steps to control these damaging activities.