Sheikh Nadeem
Amid lockdown due to Pandemic disease Covid-19 and government ban, illegal extraction of stones, boulders and sand from streams is going unabated in Nallah Yeth of Kulgam district in Kashmir.
The locals speaking to The Kashmiriyat said that the extraction of sand and boulders is going on in Babapora via Takibal Bridge (Berigam) in Kulgam district,The extraction has caused damage to the agricultural land of the area as the extraction in these streams has led to decrease in water level.
“We have many times in the past approached the Flood and Irrigation department regarding the issue, but the concerned authorities seem unmoved, the contractors, local sand mafias are extracting sand for construction of bunds, walls and houses”.
They said that due to the large scale extraction in the stream, river Jhelum the walls that are constructed on the banks of these rivulets are meant to prevent floods but that are getting destroyed due to the greed of these sand mafias.
The Kashmir High Court has already passed a directive to the concerned officials to act against persons who indulge in such illegal activities.
The Kashmiriyat correspondent tried to call Landline number of the Irrigation Division Office Kulgam regarding this matter but despite several attempts, the calls were not received.
Locals have appealed to Concerned authorities look into the matter for intervenue and take strict against violators.