Aatif Qayoom 
Srinagar, Mar 03 (KNS): Despite a blanket ban imposed by the J&K High Court
to keep a check on the uncontrolled extraction of minerals from Nallah Mawer in Handwara which is one of the main source of fresh water and favourable for the trout fish habitat, has been worst hit with Illegal extraction of sand and gravel which is going on unabated.
The locals of the area alleged that there is nexus between Irrigation and Flood control department, Geology and Mining department and other concerned departments with those involved in illegal extraction and transportation of sand and Gravel.
Locals also said that the prized trout fish in the area has declined due to illegal mining and people are making extractions illegally from the Nallah due to which the boundary walls have weakened in at many spots.
“The mafia is using vehicles and heavy machinery to dig out the sand and gravel and the government officials are watching the vandalism helplessly,” said a local resident.
Scores told Kashmir News Service that the mafia is paying a huge amount to these departments.
He said that in stream sand mining results in the destruction of aquatic and riparian habitat through large changes in the channel morphology and other impacts include bed degradation, bed coarsening, lowered water tables near the streambed, and channel instability.
Sources in the department said despite the ban, unabated mining was a regular phenomenon which had not only been causing a huge loss to state exchequer but also damaging bridges, causing soil erosion and impacting the course of the Nallah.
A local resident of Langate told KNS that he fails to understand why administration has completely failed to stop the mafia.
ADC Handwara Nazir Ahmad told KNS that he will look into the matter assured that anybody found guilty would be dealt strictly.
However when KNS contacted District Geology and Mining officer (DMO) Kupwara Mumtaz Ahmad said that 50 JCBs were operating illegally in Nallah Mawer and their list has been prepared, “action will be initiated against them soon.” (KNS).