In Kashmir, Budgam Alone Generates Rs 21 Cr From Mining; NGT Penalises Violators  | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: District Budgam has generated more than Rs 21 crore in revenue from riverbed and earth mining activities over the last three financial years. The figures were disclosed by the Mining Department in a written reply to a question by MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi in the Legislative Assembly.

According to official data, the extraction of brick earth and clay remains the dominant source of revenue in the district. In 2023-24, the department realised Rs 2.78 crore from this source, which spiked significantly to Rs 8.40 crore in 2024-25, and stood at Rs 7.23 crore during the 2025-26 period. In contrast, revenue from riverbed mining has shown a downward trend, falling from Rs 1.94 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 39.27 lakh in 2025-26. The primary sources for these extractions include the Doodhganga and Shaliganga nallahs, as well as several blocks in Chadoora, Magam, and Beerwah.

To address the impact on local communities, the government has established the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trust under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner. In Budgam, 48 welfare schemes have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) for mining-affected areas. An expenditure of Rs 5.57 crore has been approved for these initiatives, with Rs 4.45 crore already released for their execution.

The department also highlighted strict interventions by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding environmental degradation in the Doodhganga and Mamath Kul areas. Following an order in the case of Raja Muzaffar Bhat versus Union of India, the UT of Jammu and Kashmir was held responsible for failing to prevent illegal mining and sewage discharge. Consequently, the Mining Department deposited Rs 1 crore with the Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, for restoration works.

The Flood Control Department has since completed seven specific restoration projects. These include the construction of concrete protection walls on the Mamath nallah, crate protection works at Chadoora and Hanjigund, and the installation of fall check dams on tributaries.

Furthermore, the NGT has imposed specific environmental compensation on leaseholders of Minor Mineral Blocks 11 and 12 in the Doodhganga nallah. Penalties amounting to Rs 7.46 lakh and Rs 8.33 lakh were levied against these operators for violations. The government maintained that these funds are being strictly utilised for the ecological restoration of the affected water bodies and surrounding landscapes.