Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Oct 26: The authorities in Budgam have cancelled the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued earlier this month for the extraction of gravel, sand, and boulders (GSB) from Doodh Ganga Nallah at Kralwari, following illegal riverbed mining and violation of terms and conditions.
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The NOC, issued on October 13 by the Fisheries Department, Budgam, for the extraction of 1,200 cubic meters of GSB from the stream, has now been revoked with immediate effect.
The move came after it was found that the agency involved had engaged in unscientific extraction and transportation of GSB using heavy machinery through the watercourse of the stream – activities explicitly prohibited under the permit.
‘Excelsior’ had also reported on the violations, which were going on unabated, in contrast not only to the set guidelines but also to the directions of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
In its cancellation order, the Assistant Director, Fisheries Budgam, noted that despite repeated warnings, the District Mineral Officer (DMO) Budgam and the executing agency failed to halt the illegal operations.
“This office has every reason and right to cancel the NOC issued in the instant case,” the order read, adding that the Fisheries Department “shall not be responsible for any illegal mining activity and consequences thereof.”
Officials said the Incharge Fisheries Circle Chadoora had, on October 21 and 23, submitted reports with geo-tagged photographs showing continued use of heavy machinery and violation of mineral rules.
“Incharge Fisheries Circle Chadoora vide his letter dated 23-10-2025 supported with geo-tagged photographs has reported that the concerned agency has not stopped the illegal means of extraction / transportation of GSB and is violating the mineral rules and terms & conditions of NOC issued from this office,” the communication stated.
It further noted that the department had also written to the DMO Budgam to stop the illegal extraction immediately, but to no avail.
“…District Mineral Officer, Budgam was requested to stop the illegal means of extraction and transportation of GSB at the site vide this office No. ADF/Bud/2025 26/Misc dated: 21-10-2025.”
It also noted that the Mining Department in Budgam failed to stop the illegal means of extraction / transportation of bed material / GSB through enforcement of mining rules and terms & conditions of the NOC issued in the instant case.
Earlier, officials from the Pollution Control Committee also stated that they have taken note of the violations and will initiate action as per Supreme Court and NGT directions, but the action is yet to come.
While the district administration has assured action in case the SC and NGT directions have been violated, no action has been taken on the ground so far, apart from the cancellation of the NOC.
Pertinent to mention, the latest violation surfaced from Kralwari-Borwah village in Chadoora, where the agency permitted under “Short Term” and “Disposal Permits” reportedly used excavators to remove large quantities of GSB from the stream – a designated trout fish beat.
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