Sameer Kashmiri
Anantnag, Dec 27 (KNB): Despite the J&K government banning illegal extraction of stones, boulders and sand from streams in the District, the practice is going on unabated in Larkipora bridge area of south Kashmir Anantnag district. Sources said that heavy extraction of sand and boulders is going on in Larkipora area of district Anantnag.
While the Divisional Commissioner Anantnag vide order No. 10750-69/DMA Dated 28-01-16 had directed complete halt on illegal extraction of stones, boulders and sand from the streams, the directives have never been implemented, sources added.
The practice is also going unabated in veshu stream in kulgam district Sources from kulgam District told to Kashmir news bureau that heavy extraction of sand and boulders is going unabated in different area of kulgam district. A huge number of tippers and JCB dozers were also seen in different streams in area but the authorities didn’t take any action against them, sources added.
The illegal extraction of sand and boulders, according to residents, is causing damage to agricultural land as the water level in the stream is decreasing. “Some years back, there were dozens of springs and streams flowing through this area. But today the water level is decreasing even in Nalla Bringi due to illegal extraction of sand and boulders. Today we are forced to fetch water after covering a long distance,” said a delegation from larkipora area. The stream environs look like a bus stand in presence of huge number of tippers and dozers.
“We are surprised why the district administration is not looking into the issue,” they said.
Meanwhile a resident of larkipora told to Kashmir news bureau that the people made it business to extraction of boulders and sand in streams we have thousands of miles of agriculture land inside the nallas where dozens of springs and streams flowing through this area But today the water level is decreasing even in stream (Nallah) Bringi due to illegal extraction of sand and boulders.
However, when KNB contact to the District Commissioner Anantnag his phone was out of reach. (KNB)