BANDIPORA, 24 Sep: In a major crackdown on illicit extraction and trade of natural resources, the District Mineral Office, Bandipora, has significantly intensified its enforcement operations across the district over the past six months. Demonstrating a zero-tolerance policy against environmental and regulatory violations, the department carried out a series of targeted raids between April 1 and September 24, 2026, seizing 167 vehicles and 44 illegal mineral dumps.
According to the official Seizure & Enforcement Summary prepared for administrative review, the sustained campaign against the illegal mining ecosystem led to the registration of 33 First Information Reports (FIRs) at various local police stations. The stern action aims to curb unpermitted riverbed extraction, unlawful transportation, and unauthorised storage of construction materials such as sand, boulders, and gravel across vulnerable streams and river catchments in the district.
Providing granular details on the ongoing operations, District Mineral Officer (DMO) Bandipora, Dr Ghulam Nabi Pintoo (Geoscientist), highlighted the drive’s financial and regulatory impact. He stated that administrative fines and compounding charges amounting to ₹20,25,544 were realised from violators during these six months. Furthermore, the estimated cost of minerals seized directly from illegal dumping yards stood at ₹30,45,174.
Dr Pintoo further emphasised that through rigorous monitoring, streamlined royalty collection, and aggressive anti-smuggling measures, the department generated a total revenue of ₹95,40,364 during the current financial year.
“Our enforcement drive against illegal extraction, illegal transportation, and unauthorised dumping of minerals has yielded significant results, but our work is far from over,” said Dr Pintoo. “The department has established dedicated surveillance teams working in close coordination with local administration and law enforcement agencies. This enforcement drive will be even more stringently implemented in the coming days, and strict action under the law will be taken against habitual offenders attempting to plunder natural resources.”
The District Mineral Office confirmed that regular daytime patrols and night-checking checkpoints will be expanded across key transport routes and quarry zones to completely eradicate illegal mining operations in Bandipora.(KNS)
