Srinagar, Mar 18: An expert committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday conducted an on-site inspection of the Sukhnag stream in the Sail area of Beerwah tehsil in central Kashmir’s Budgam district to assess environmental damage allegedly caused by illegal riverbed mining.
The visit follows earlier reports highlighting continued extraction of sand, boulders and gravel (bajri) from Sukhnag Nallah despite a ban imposed by the tribunal. Reports suggested that tractor operators have been carrying out mining activities on a daily basis at multiple locations.
The committee comprises senior scientist Sandeepan Mukherjee from the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Khurshid Alam from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The panel examined the riverbed, embankments and nearby grazing lands, which are reported to have suffered degradation over the past three to four years.
The inspection was prompted by a petition filed by environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who sought intervention against alleged mining operations by NKC Projects Pvt Ltd. Acting on earlier findings, the NGT had imposed a ban on mining activities in the area in January 2025 following a prior inspection by a central team.
Officials said the expert committee ordered a fresh ground assessment after reviewing a report submitted by a district-level panel through the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee. The latest inspection was carried out in the presence of officials from the revenue, forest, flood control and fisheries departments, along with local residents and environmental activists.
The committee is expected to submit its findings to the tribunal by March 23. The case is scheduled for hearing on March 27, when the NGT is likely to take a final decision.
“All mining-related activities in Sukhnag Nallah are strictly prohibited. The department has already taken action against several individuals involved in illegal mining and seized tractors used in the activity. Anyone found carrying out mining in the nallah will face strict legal action,” an official said.
He added that from January 2024 to February 4, 2026, the Department of Geology and Mining seized 261 vehicles involved in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals from Sukhnag Nallah and recovered a penalty of Rs 36.49 lakh.
“In addition, 31 FIRs have been registered against 38 habitual offenders during the month of February,” the official said.
