Sand Extraction from Nallah Sindh Hits Trout Farming
GANDERBAL: Taking advantage of present situation in the Kashmir Valley, the practice of extraction of sand and bajri and other material from Nallah Sindh is going on unabated in various places of Ganderbal district, while the concerned authorities are watching as mute spectators.
Sources said that despite the imposition of a blanket ban on the extraction of sand ,bajri and boulders from the Nallah Sindh by the J&K High Court, illegal and extensive round the clock extraction of such materials is going on in Nallah Sindh From Wayil to Sarbal Sonamarg.
“It is surprising that concerned authorities are not looking into this vandalization of the resources,” alleged the locals.
They said that materials like bajri and sand which are illegally extracted from Sindh are sold to the contractors of other areas, at much higher rates.
The trout fish production of Nallah Sindh is under a serious threat due to this illegal extraction, they said.
They said that on the long stretch of river Sindh from Wayil to Sarbal Sonamarg, a large number of tippers and tractors could be seen loading sand and other construction material extracted from the nallah. Locals further said that the prized trout fish has declined due to illegal mining, due to which the boundary walls of the nallah have caved in at many spots, which are meant to prevent floods.
Sources said that some persons are taking advantage of the prevailing pandemic situation in Kashmir and are using JCBs and heavy machinery during the night hours to do the dirty job.
The practice has been continuing unabated, particularly in Sarbal area of Sonamarg, while officials of Flood Control, Fisheries and Geology Mining departments are watching this vandalism helplessly.
Such illegal activities of extraction of construction material, including illegal constructions are a great threat to the trout fish production in Nallah Sindh as it is considered to be the most important habitat for such species.