Unabated illegal mining in Beas has Kullu residents on edge
A video of six tractors engaged in illegal mining on the Beas riverbed in the Bihali area of Raison in Manali subdivision of Kullu district has gone viral. The video has raised the hackles of the public over inaction by the mining and other departments against the offenders. Local resident Ved Prakash alleges that illegal mining is going on at a large scale.
Officials of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalya at Bandrol village in Kullu district had recently raised the issue of illegal mining, citing threat to the school property. Forest guards, police post in-charge, junior engineers of the Public Works Department (PWD) and Jal Shakti Department, Block Development Officers, forest officers, SHOs, DSPs and officials of 39 government departments have been empowered to check illegal mining and challan the offenders. However, due to minimal punishment, the offenders continue to indulge in illegal activity.
Environmentalist Abhishek Rai says that the Kullu valley faces the threat of ecological degradation because of haphazard quarrying and mining on the riverbed of the Beas, Parbati and their tributaries. He adds, “Devastating floods are witnessed in the Beas, endangering human life and property. The present pace of extraction of stones and sand from the riverbed will aggravate the threat of more damage during the rainy season.”
Kullu District Mining Officer Yograj says that the matter is not in his knowledge and strict action will be taken against anyone found indulging in the illegal activity. He adds that the department has not granted any lease or permission for mining in the area and strict vigil is maintained to check illegal activities.
Local residents say that mere challaning and impounding of vehicles have proved to be futile to curtail illegal mining despite strict orders of the High Court of Himachal. They urge the government to introduce stringent punishment for the offenders under the Mining Act and depute more staff with arms for vigil, besides empowering panchayats to keep a watch on illegal mining.
