BANDIPORA: District Administration Bandipora, in coordination with Police and the Mining Department, has tightened enforcement against illegal mining and unauthorized mineral transportation across the district, resulting in multiple seizures and strict legal action.
Enforcement teams conducted coordinated operations along various stretches of Madhumati Nallah, including the Athwato and Sonarwani belts, where several hundred metric tonnes of River Bed Material (RBM) extracted in violation of regulations were seized and subsequently destroyed. Multiple individuals involved in illegal extraction and transportation were apprehended, and an FIR has been registered against five offenders as part of the ongoing crackdown.
Regular surveillance and intensified checking at vulnerable points have led to significant district-wide action. More than 140 seizures have been made in recent operations, reflecting the Administration’s sustained focus on curbing illegal extraction.
The cumulative penalty imposed has reached approximately ₹12 lakh. Within the Athwato and adjoining areas alone, more than twenty vehicles were intercepted, resulting in penalties amounting to approximately ₹1.80 lakh.
The District Administration reiterated its commitment to protecting natural resources, ensuring compliance with mining and environmental regulations, and maintaining strict vigilance across all vulnerable locations.
Citizens have been urged to cooperate by reporting any illegal mining activities to help safeguard the district’s fragile riverine ecosystem.