Tractors allegedly operate through night in Papchan Nallah; locals accuse administration of turning blind eye; Mineral stockpiles, unchecked transportation raise questions over enforcement; villagers fear erosion of agricultural land
Bandipora, Nov 8: Hundreds of kanals of agricultural land adjoining Papchan Nallah in Lowdara village of Bandipora district are facing a serious threat as alleged illegal extraction of minerals continues unabated, with residents accusing the authorities of remaining indifferent despite the growing danger to their fields and livelihoods.
Residents alleged that tractors and other vehicles are being used to extract minerals from the nallah, particularly during night hours, while the extracted material is being stockpiled at a nearby ground before being transported elsewhere.
The villagers said the activity has continued without any visible intervention from the concerned departments, raising questions over the enforcement of regulations governing mineral extraction from water bodies.
”Tractors operate throughout the night, extracting material from the nallah. The extracted minerals are dumped at a designated spot and later transported away. Everything is happening openly, yet the administration appears unmoved,” local residents alleged.
They said the unchecked extraction has created apprehensions about the stability of agricultural land situated along the banks of the nallah, with hundreds of kanals of farmland potentially exposed to erosion and damage.
For families dependent on agriculture, residents said, the threat extends beyond the immediate loss of land, as any damage to their fields could jeopardise their primary source of livelihood.
”The concern is not merely about the minerals being taken away. Hundreds of kanals of agricultural land are at stake. If the banks continue to weaken, farmers could lose land that has sustained their families for generations,” a resident said.
Locals questioned how large-scale extraction and transportation of minerals could allegedly continue during night hours without attracting the attention of the authorities responsible for monitoring such activities.
They also pointed towards the stockpiles of extracted material allegedly lying in the area, saying their presence should make it easier for enforcement agencies to identify the activity and investigate its legality.
Residents expressed concern that continued removal of material from the nallah could alter its natural course and weaken its banks, potentially exposing adjoining agricultural fields to greater erosion during periods of increased water flow.
They urged the district administration, Geology and Mining Department and other concerned agencies to immediately inspect the site, verify whether extraction permissions exist and take action against those found violating the law.
The villagers also demanded an assessment of the potential threat to agricultural land and preventive measures to safeguard fields adjoining the watercourse.
They said immediate intervention was necessary before the alleged extraction caused irreversible damage to the area’s agricultural resources.
