The state mining department has ordered the closure of 120 mines and 115 stone crushers in the wake of the high court verdict which held that such activity could not be allowed on shamlat land. Mining activity in the hill state are feared to be severely hit as almost half of the mines and stone crushers will be closed. There are about 265 mines and 235 stone crushers in the state. The lower hill areas like Nalagarh, Una, Hamirpur and Kangra where most of mines are located on shamlat land are likely to face an acute shortage of sand, grit and boulders. However, the cement plants which engage in large-scale mining have not been affected by the order. District mining officers have been directed to enforce the order after checking the revenue record and submit compliance reports. The closure of the mines and stone crushers will deprive the government of revenue ranging from Rs 12 crore to Rs 15 crore annually, which is nearly 25 per cent of the total mining revenue. The government had taken over the village common land by enacting the State Village Common Land (Vesting and Utilisation) At in 1974. Initially, 50 per cent of the land was to be utilised for grazing and the remaining for distribution to landless persons. Subsequently, the Act was amended to facilitate the construction of public buildings like schools, mahila mandals and panchayat ghars. The Act was amended for second time in 1982 to allow industries and tourism ventures on the common land. However, the court held that industrial activity could not be allowed on the village common land as it was basically meant for agrarian use. Even in case of tourism, only village-based ecotourism could be permitted. The mining department took action in the matter after the judgment was examined by the law department. With this, the total number of stone crushers in the state will be reduced from 324 five years ago to around 120. Over 100 crushers that did not fulfil the norms were closed on the orders of the high court four years ago. The acute shortage of grit, sand and boulders is likely to further encourage illegal mining. More so, because the department does not have enough manpower to effectively regulate mining activities. The suspension of mining activity will also lead to unemployment.