Anantnag, Feb 07 (KNS): Despite the government ban, the practice of extraction of stones, boulders and Bajri from streams in the Anantnag district is going on unabated.
Sources revealed to KNS that despite Divisional Commissioner Anantnag issuing an order in January 2016 to put a complete halt on illegal extraction of stones, boulders and sand from the streams, heavy extraction of the same material is going on from nallah Sandran in Nassau Badragund area of Anantnag District.
The locals are apprehensive that the illegal extraction may also damage to the newly constructed Nassu Badragund bridge and agricultural land as the water level in the stream is decreasing.
The bridge which connects various villages in area was constructed by government last year.
“Some years back, there were dozens of springs and streams flowing through this area. But today due to illegal extraction of sand and boulders, the water level is decreasing even in Nalla Bringi, said a localAbdul Rasheed.
Rasheed said stream environs look like a bus stand in presence of huge number of tippers and dozers used to ferry the extracted material from the site.
“We are surprised why the district administration is not looking into the issue,” Rasheed said.
Meanwhile sources told to KNS that the concerned Naib Tehsildar Zahoor Ahmad has conveyed a message to Flood Control and Geology and Mining Departments to put a complete stop on the extraction in the village as it will damage the bridge as well as the whole area. However, so far both the departments seemed to have turned a deaf ear to the order.
Talking to KNS Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Mohammed Younis Malik said that he was not aware about the issue. He assured that that he will rush a team to the spot to stop the extraction immediately. (KNS)