Srinagar, Jan 18: The National Green Tribunal has instructed the deputy commissioner of Budgam district in Jammu and Kashmir to appear before it regarding allegations of “illegal and unscientific” riverbed mining in the Sukhnag, which is causing detrimental effects on the river’s ecology.
The green panel was addressing a petition filed by activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who claimed that illegal and unscientific mining in the Sukhnag is being conducted using excavators and cranes, negatively impacting the river ecosystem.
In an order issued on January 15, the tribunal noted that the applicant’s counsel highlighted the deputy commissioner as the primary respondent responsible for curbing the “illegal unregulated” mining activities in the region.
On October 4, the tribunal had sent out notices to the relevant parties, including the deputy commissioner, yet he has “neither provided representation nor submitted a reply on his behalf,” the bench observed.
As he is unrepresented and no reply has been submitted on his behalf, “we direct the deputy commissioner to attend virtually on the next hearing date, which is set for April 29,” the tribunal stated.
Moreover, it mandated the deputy commissioner to ensure that no illegal sand or boulder mining occurs in the area without proper permissions and environmental clearances or compliance with other regulations prior to the next hearing.
