Srinagar, Jul 31 (KNS): For constructing a road in Langate area of Kupwara district, the Beacon authorities are damaging forest land and a stream, creating environmental hazard in the area.
Locals in Mawar area of Langate told KNS that 12 years ago, Beacon started construction of Handwara-Nougam road but the authorities are illegally extracting soil and gravel from local forest areas at Mander Pahadi and Mawar stream for the road.
“The Beacon authorities have no permission from the forest department to extract soil and gravel from the forest land, yet they are illegally doing it. This has damaged our forest areas and is disturbing the local environment,” the residents of Nougam told KNS.
They said the Beacon has also constructed a macadam plant along the Mawar stream, the only source of water, near two schools and a health centre.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
“For the macadam plant, the gravel is illegally extracted from the steam which again destroys the water ecosystem of fishes,” the residents of Mawar told KNS.
A senior forest official told KNS that they have raised the issues with Beacon and higher ups in the forest department, but “no action is taken against it”. “Even we are not allowed to touch them,” the forest official said.
Repeated attempts to contact DFO Langate and Beacon authorities could not materialize as they were not available for their version. (KNS)