DEHRADUN | Friday, March 12, 2010 | Email | Print |  | Back
Illegal mining endangers life in Chamoli
PNS | Chamoli
For the past three years, local residents have been undertaking mining for gravel at a location near the officers’ colony inspite of administration officials being aware of the activity.
The change in the topography due to the illegitimate mining for gravel for the past three years has now loosened the ground to such an extent that the foundation of at least three residential buildings is now threatened.
According to information provided by local sources, due to the damage caused by indiscriminate mining activity, the foundation of three homes faces the imminent risk of sinking in to the loose ground. Apart from the immediate danger posed by the mining to the three residential buildings, if the authorities fail to effectively stop the mining without delay the Women’s Poly-Technique, ITI and parts of the Nail Kudav motor road could also face the risk of building collapse.
Local sources inform that since past three years, the residents of rural area have been continuing the practice of mining by the roadside at a location situated near the District HQ, Gopeshwar.
The villagers undertake mining in the location for gravel which they use for the construction of their homes and cattle sheds. However, with consistent construction activity during the past three years resulting in a consistent mining of the area for gravel, the geological composition of the area has been negatively affected by the indiscriminate mining activity.
Reliable sources inform that such is the extent of damage caused by the indiscriminate mining activity in the area that three residential buildings and a portion of the Nail Kudav motor road are facing the imminent danger of collapse. In addition to the imminent danger posed to the motor road and three residential buildings the indiscriminate mining activity which is still continuing could also pose a serious danger to the stability of the Women’s Poly-Technique, ITI and a portion of the officer’s colony if the mining activity is not stopped without delay.
It is pertinent to mention that during their inspections and visits to the Poly-Technique, ITI and officer’s colony, district administration officials often pass this area damaged by the continued indiscriminate mining activity, inspite of which no steps have been taken to effectively stop the mining activity.
Local social worker, Manoj Singh Rawat states that officials of the district administration have on many occasions been informed about the indiscriminate mining activity and the threats posed by its damaging effects. He warned that if the mining activity is not stopped a stretch of the Nail Kudav motor road and at least three residential buildings would be damaged and possibly collapse.
On being asked about the mining activity, Chamoli District Magistrate, Neeraj Semwal said that this particular case had not been brought to his notice yet.
However, he added that the SDM would soon be issued orders to take action against those involved in illegitimate mining in the region. It remains to be seen whether the action of the district administration proves to be timely enough to stop the mining activity before it causes serious damage to residential buildings and the motor road.
Email | Print | Rate:
|