The illegal mining activities carried out in the Joshimath region are not only perpetuating a criminal activity but also exerting a detrimental effect on the sensitive ecology of this Himalayan region. While the Forest department does not appear to be concerned about this, the district administration states that required action will be taken on the issue of illegal mining.
The illegal quarrying activity came to light when a utility vehicle carrying illegally quarried material met with an accident near Parsari on the Joshimath-Malari motor road late on Wednesday night.
It is pertinent to mention here that as in different parts of the State, the illegal mining nexus is thriving in the Joshimath region. local advocate Ramesh Chandra Sati said that those implementing the Rishiganga hydro electric project in this region are the ones who are carrying out illegal mining activities in the dark of night. He further alleged that the administration had orchestrated illegality in official documentation in favour of the enterprise implementing the project. “However, in reality, the administration has accorded permission to the enterprise for extracting material only from the barrage site. In addition to this, such materials cannot be sold. However, those implementing the Rishiganga project are carrying out illegal dealings during the night time. This is the reason why a small utility vehicle was transporting a full load of sand late in the night on Wednesday,” he added.
One such vehicle believed to be transporting illegally quarried sand met with an accident late on Wednesday night near Parsari. The accident has once again elicited focus on the illegal mining being conducted with blatant disregard for the law in the ecologically and strategically valuable Joshimath region. When this correspondent contacted the Nanda Devi national park sub divisional officer Sarvesh Kumar Dubey said that he was not aware of this case. When contacted, the Joshimath sub divisional magistrate Shailendra Singh Negi said that the case has been taken cognisnace of and action will be taken in other cases of this type.
It is pertinent to state here that the latest motor accident has once again pointed towards the continuing trade in illegally mined materials being conducted during the night hours. Observers point out that apart from exerting a detrimental effect on the environment, the illegal mining and trade in illegally quarried materials is also causing considerable revenue loss to the State authorities. However, the authorities appear to be apathetic towards this continuing illegal activity.