Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 1: The Government today said Budgam district has generated more than Rs 20 crore in revenue from riverbed and earth mining activities over the past three financial years, with a sharp rise in earnings from brick earth and clay extraction even as revenue from riverbed mining has witnessed a steep decline.
In a written reply to a question by MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, the Government said that brick earth and clay extraction continues to be the dominant source of revenue in the district. According to official data, the department realised Rs 2.78 crore from this source in 2023-24, which rose sharply to Rs 8.40 crore in 2024-25, before settling at Rs 7.23 crore during 2025-26.
In contrast, revenue from riverbed mining has declined significantly over the same period, dropping from Rs 1.94 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 39.27 lakh in 2025-26. The primary extraction sites include the Doodhganga and Shaliganga nallahs, along with several blocks in Chadoora, Magam and Beerwah.
To mitigate the impact of mining on local communities, the Government has established a District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trust under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner. In Budgam, 48 welfare schemes have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) for mining-affected areas. An expenditure of Rs 5.57 crore has been approved, of which Rs 4.45 crore has already been released.
The Government also highlighted interventions by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over environmental degradation in the Doodhganga and Mamath Kul areas. Following an order in the case of Raja Muzaffar Bhat versus Union of India, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was held accountable for failing to curb illegal mining and sewage discharge. As a result, the Mining Department deposited Rs 1 crore with the Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, for restoration works.
Subsequently, the Flood Control Department completed seven restoration projects, including construction of concrete protection walls on the Mamath nallah, crate protection works at Chadoora and Hanjigund, and installation of fall check dams on tributaries.
Additionally, the NGT imposed environmental compensation on leaseholders of Minor Mineral Blocks 11 and 12 in the Doodhganga nallah. Penalties of Rs 7.46 lakh and Rs 8.33 lakh were levied for violations. The Government stated that these funds are being strictly utilised for ecological restoration of the affected water bodies and surrounding areas.
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