Stone crushers on river banks violate green tribunal orders

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, December 25

Despite NGT orders to shut down all stone crushers on the 100-metre radius of rivers and rivulets in the state, no steps have been initiated for the implementation of the orders. The deadline fixed by the NGT for implementation of its order will expire on December 30.

A team of The Tribune visited Jaisinghpur of the Palampur region on Tuesday, which is notorious for illegal mining as a dozen stone crushers were functioning here on the bank of the Beas. A number of panchayat and social bodies members have alleged that revenue authorities in connivance with the owners of the stone crushers were violating the norms and several stone crushers were operating close to the Beas. Local residents have also expressed doubts over the demarcation being done by the revenue authorities.

Residents of the area told mediapersons that the NGT’s judgment was landmark if implemented properly as it would save lives of residents of Jaisinghpur, who had been suffering from several diseases because of the pollution being emitted by these stone crushers. Besides, state’s revenue worth crores would be protected.

Half a dozen panchyat pardhans of the area demanded proper implementation of the NGT’s order. They said they had already met local MLA Ravinder Ravi Dhiman in this regard and urged him to initiate necessary steps to depute a special team for proper demarcation of the river for the closing of stone crushers. They feared that if local officers were involved in the demarcation process, they would support the stone crusher owners as they were hands-in-glove with the mining mafia.

Several environmental groups, who had launched a massive campaign against illegal mining by stone crushers in Jaisinghpur, Alampur, Harsipatan and Lambagaon along Beas river, demanded early implementation of the NGT order.

It may be recalled that in Jaisinghpur subdivision of Kangra district, large-scale illegal mining was being carried out by stone crusher in gross violation of directions of the state government and Himachal Pradesh High Court, in connivance with the police, mining mafia, forest department and pollution control board.

What order states

The NGT, in its order dated October 30, 2018, has ruled that stone crushers functioning in 100-metres distance of any river in the state should be shut with immediate effect. It also directed the state government and the State Pollution Control Board to place the status report before the NGT by December 30.