Pulwama, Sep 19: Romeshi rivulet, a tributary of Jhelum flowing through south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, is dotted with many deep trenches.
Romeshi is a freshwater body which originates in the upper reaches of Pir Panchaal and flows through different areas of Pulwama before falling into Jhelum at Kakapora.
The water body serves as a lifeline for residents of many villages who depend on it for irrigation water, minerals like sand, gravel, boulders and fish. However, over the past decade, the stream suffered heavily due to mining, mostly by illegal means. This has left many deep trenches in the stream, some of which have been filled by water thereby turning into ponds.
The local residents from Chewa Khurd and Wahibugh villages said these deep trenches pose a threat to residents.
They said two people from Nomadic Gujjar-Bakerwal tribe lost their lives two months ago after falling into the stream near Chewakhurd when the flow of water in it was very low.
They alleged that illegal mining has caused deep trenches into the stream which resulted in fatal accidents.
The locals demanded filling of the trenches to ensure the safety of residents from accidental falls.
After complaints from locals and other quarters, the local administration launched a drive to check illegal mining.
District Mineral Officer, Pulwama, told Rising Kashmir that they have seized around 12 excavation machines and 25 vehicles involved in illegal mining in different areas of the district in the last couple of weeks.
He said only four blocks have been auctioned by authorities in Pulwama which include two in Nallah Romeshi, one in Rambiara and the other in Sasara.
The officer said that legal mining in Nallah Romeshi and other streams was suspended for the entire monsoon period to give time to these water bodies to replenish in accordance with the mining plan.
“Unfortunately, the monsoon period witnessed no rainfall,” he said, adding that they were expecting the trenches to get filled with sediments brought down by flood water.
After resuming mining activity after the monsoon hiatus, the licenced miners are filling the trenches in blocks auctioned to them by levelling and dressing, the officer said.
Meanwhile, there were no satisfactory answers from officials as to who was going to address the trenches left in non-auctioned portions by illegal miners.
