NGT Panel Inspects Illegal Earth Mining Sites in Pulwama, Budgam; Restoration, Compensation Assured | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A joint inspection team constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), on Tuesday visited Zadoora in Pulwama and Rangeen Kultreh in Chadoora, Budgam, to assess allegations of illegal earth mining.

The team was accompanied by Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama and Budgam during the site visits, which were conducted following directions issued by the NGT earlier this year on a petition filed by environmental activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat.

During the visit, the joint team interacted with local orchardists and residents from Zadoora, Rangeen Kultreh and Gowherpora villages. Officials from the Revenue Department, Mining Department, Pollution Control Committee and Police were also present.

Local residents alleged large-scale illegal extraction of earth over the past two to three years and demanded strict action against those involved, particularly a private company, NKC Projects Pvt Ltd. They also sought compensation for losses incurred and restoration of damaged Karewa and orchard lands through proper landscaping measures.

Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Basharat Qayoom, who has been designated as the coordinating officer in the case by the NGT, assured residents that damaged sites in Zadoora would be restored and affected orchardists compensated. In Budgam, Deputy Commissioner Athar Amir Khan issued similar assurances and directed the District Mineral Officer to halt further permissions for earth mining activities.

The NGT’s Principal Bench had, on February 6, ordered the formation of the joint committee to conduct a detailed site inspection and submit a report within ten weeks. The case was heard by a bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel, which observed that the allegations indicated serious environmental violations requiring immediate verification.

Submissions before the tribunal stated that nearly 1,000 kanals of Karewa and orchard land in Pulwama and Budgam districts had been affected by unregulated mining. The petitioner presented geotagged evidence, including photographs, lists of affected farmers and documents obtained under the Right to Information Act.

It was alleged that heavy machinery, including hydraulic excavators and JCBs, was used to extract clay, sand and bajri without mandatory environmental clearances, consent to operate, or valid mining leases, in violation of the Jammu and Kashmir Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016, and the Sustainable Sand Mining Guidelines.

The tribunal has tasked the committee with determining the extent of illegal extraction, identifying those responsible, assessing compliance with environmental norms, and recommending remedial as well as punitive measures.

The bench also cited the Supreme Court judgment in the Deepak Kumar vs State of Haryana case, which mandates prior environmental clearance even for minor mineral mining below five hectares, underscoring the ecological risks of unregulated extraction.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 18, 2026.