30 heavy excavators seized for illegal mining in Pulwama

 Pulwama, July 22:  The Geology and Mining Department has seized 30 heavy excavators and 8 earthmovers in the past 50 days, imposing penalties amounting to a record ₹70 lakh in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.Describing the action as “unprecedented,” District Mineral Officer (DMO) Pulwama, Khursheed Ahmad Dar, said the sustained campaign has shaken what officials describe as a deeply entrenched mining mafia. He said 39 mineral blocks were leased in Pulwama in the past but not a single one is currently operational due to documentation issues.“Three of these blocks were shut following National Green Tribunal (NGT) directions,” Dar said.DMO painted a stark picture of the ground reality, blaming a widespread preference for illegal mining among locals and a lack of government policy to safeguard the interests of traditional miners. “People don’t want to legalise the activity. Authorities also failed to formulate a comprehensive policy to protect traditional miners whose livelihoods depend solely on this trade,” he said.Despite facing threats and intense pressure, Dar said his department has compiled a list of chronic violators, including individuals with links to political, bureaucratic, media, and business circles. “These weren’t small-time offenders — they were the primary source of illegal extraction. We didn’t just target the periphery; we hit the core and plugged it,” Dar said. He revealed that three major violators alone were fined ₹15 lakh each, contributing significantly to the overall penalties.Dar asserted that the crackdown has effectively broken the back of Pulwama’s mining mafia, which, he claimed, had operated with impunity for years.However, he acknowledged that punitive action alone isn’t a sustainable solution. “Many mineral blocks remain unnecessarily closed. We need to revise the existing policy and resume legal operations to support traditional miners, while ensuring sustainable resource use,” he said. He highlighted that ancestral quarries, once a source of livelihood for generations, remain non-functional due to the lack of a clear regulatory framework. “A revised, practical policy from higher authorities is the need of the hour,” he addedThe DMO also called for greater public awareness, enhanced administrative accountability, and the strengthening of the Multi-Department District Level Task Force Committee (MDDLTFC) to safeguard natural resources and prevent ecological degradation. “The administration must play its part. Every official must be held accountable,” Dar said.“It’s not just about enforcement — smart, balanced policymaking is key to securing both livelihoods and natural resources in Pulwama’s mineral sector,” he said.