Illegal mining on a large scale in the Chakki river and nearby areas is taking its toll on the ground water level which has resulted in the land in 70 villages turning barren.
The fallout of the depleting water level is the deep borewells going dry. But the district adminstration, Forest Department and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) appear to be mute spectators to the devastation of environment.
Thakur Sewa Singh, resident of Sibli Gujjaran village, said although the Forest Department has set up a post to keep tabs on illegal mining in forest land, digging of earth to extract stone, gravel and sand goes on unabated.
“We have given memorandum to district adminstration, local MlAs and even the Chief Minister in the past to order action against those responsible for devastion of our environment but nothing has happened so far”, said president of village youth club, Dashan Singh Salaria.
“If this devastation of the environment is not stopped immediately, there will be drinking water crisis in the area very soon,” added Salaria.
When contacted, Pathankot DC Amit Kumar, said that with the help of Police, district mining officer and other departments, regular checking is done. Asked about 70 villages turning barren, the DC said that if someone gives details in writing, a survey would be conducted. “I suggest the victims to give complaints in writing so that action is taken and illegal mining stopped,” he added
locals complain that it is not only the forest land as the sand mafia is not sparing even the private land of farmers falling in Chakki River as there is no existing demarcation to identify their land.