Report on unregulated mining of minor minerals and sand mining, Jammu & Kashmir, 22/02/2020
Compliance report on behalf of the Chief Secretary Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in terms of the National Green Tribunal order of April 5, 2019 and July 26, 2019.
The matter related to unregulated mining of minor minerals and sand mining. The report informed the Tribunal that no mining lease had been granted without obtaining environmental clearances from the concerned authorities. Jammu & Kashmir has very little scope for exclusive sand mining, as sporadic sand occurs with river bed material across Jammu & Kashmir.
Only one mining lease of minor mineral sand had been granted - in district Doda after obtaining the statutory clearances for mining plan and environment clearance. There was no report of occurence of sand mining in forest areas in J&K.
To curb the unlawful extraction and transportation of minor minerals and prevent the loss to the government exchequer, the Geology and Mining Department had put in place a robust monitoring mechanism for regular checking of vehicles, machines, dumpers for seizure and penalty. Around 3684 number of vehicles were found to be indulging in illegal mining. A fine of Rupees 1.57 crore had been imposed also, according to the report.
Note: The report February 22, 2020 was uploaded to the NGT site on August 14, 2020