BBN belt faces environmental crisis as illegal mining surges in the area

In a bid to curb the rampant misuse of tractors for transporting illegally mined quarry material, the Baddi police have impounded 72 tractors this year. Illegal mining has become a lucrative activity in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial belt, with the quarry material being sold at low prices in neighboring Haryana and Punjab.

To counter this, the Baddi police registered 35 cases under the Mining Act and seized 23 earth excavation machines, 32 mini-trucks and two tractors. A major violation involves the use of earth excavation machines after 8 am, though their use is prohibited from 8 am to 6 pm in riverbed areas in Nalagarh and Baddi.

Baddi SP Vinod Dhiman said 119 monetary challans were issued in illegal mining cases. These included penalties on 70 tractors, 38 mini-trucks, and 11 earth excavation machines, amounting to Rs 15.67 lakh in the first four months of the year.

Despite mining being strictly prohibited along riverbeds, illegal activities continue, especially after sunset. Tractors loaded with illegally mined material can be seen moving across various border roads. Tractor owners often avoid registering their vehicles or operate without license plates to evade detection, making it harder for authorities to take action.

The scale of the issue is evident as 217 out of 1,291 vehicles challaned by police were tractors operating without registration numbers. For many residents in the area, tractors offer an easy way to earn quick money, especially for those with limited employment options.

In a recent raid, the Baddi police seized 10 trucks and seven excavation machines from Androla Khud and Rampur Gujran village for violations of the Motor Vehicles Act and illegal mining regulations. Two of the seized machines had Punjab registration numbers. This action came after a police team was attacked by the mining mafia while attempting to stop illegal mining.

Authorities have acknowledged the environmental damage caused by this unchecked activity. A review meeting, chaired by Nalagarh Tehsildar Husan Chand, was recently held to address the issue. He urged local environmental groups to collaborate in efforts to combat illegal mining and instructed officials to demarcate boundaries of authorized mining areas.

The Tehsildar also emphasised the need for strict enforcement of mining hours and mandated regular visits to mining zones to ensure compliance. As enforcement intensifies, authorities hope to break the cycle of environmental degradation and illegal profiteering in the BBN region.