Baramulla’s stone quarry workers urge govt for alternate employment opportunities

Baramulla, Sep 09: The stone quarry industry, which has been a longstanding economic lifeline for locals in various parts of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, now reveals a tale of struggle, suffering and environmental impact.
Tragic mishaps have left numerous workers paralysed and battling to make ends meet, while the environmental toll has left a landscape shrouded in dust, raising serious concerns about public health.
Nazir Ahmad Malla, a 54-year-old man and a father of two, lost both his legs in a stone quarry mishap, rendering him immobile for the past 14 years. He navigates life with the aid of sticks, sharing not only his pain but also the trauma endured by his family, who suffer without assistance.
Similarly, Manzoor Ahmad Hajam, a resident of Drangbal in Baramulla and bedridden since a stone quarry accident in 2013, speaks of shattered dreams and the despair he feels at his inability to provide for his family.
Both Malla and Hajam emphasised the urgent need for government intervention and the creation of alternative employment opportunities for the youth in the area. They stressed that while the stone quarry industry is vital for the local economy, it should not be the sole source of livelihood. Diversified job markets are essential for sustainable development, they said.
Gulzar Ahmad, a cluster head at Baramulla stone quarry, calls on the government to enforce stringent safety protocols to prevent accidents and injuries among workers. The stone quarries have not only caused severe injuries but have also taken a toll on the environment, with dust generated from quarries and stone transportation blanketing the region, he said.
The locals lament the loss of the once-green landscape, now replaced by a dusty atmosphere.
According to Nadeem Qadri, the first environmental lawyer of Jammu and Kashmir, the major issue plaguing Kashmir is related to stone quarrying and its detrimental impact on the environment. “This problem has also led to a decline in the health conditions of individuals directly involved in mining activities over the years,” he said.
Qadri expressed concern that the government shows little seriousness in providing proper rehabilitation measures, posing an environmental hazard.
On the other hand, Dr Waseem, a senior specialist doctor at GMC Baramulla, said they have treated numerous individuals employed in mining and stone quarry units, who are experiencing a wide range of respiratory problems.
People living in close proximity to mining or stone quarry units frequently suffer from respiratory problems and are prone to occasional lung diseases, which have significant environmental implications, he said.
“While seasonal allergies may occur due to factors like Russian Pollen, the presence of excessive dust particles in the air from stone quarrying or mining activities directly exacerbates respiratory conditions, leading to a variety of associated diseases,” Dr Waseem added.