Crackdown on illegal mining, 17 tractors seized

Pankaj Sharma

Nahan, August 17

The field staff of the Paonta Sahib Forest Range under the Paonta Sahib Forest Division recently intercepted and seized 17 tractors engaged in illegal mining activities near the Bhup-Pur area on the Yamuna riverbed.

This action comes in the wake of the complete ban imposed by the state government on riverbed mining until September 15, reflecting the growing urgency to curb environmental degradation in the region.

The operation unfolded at around 7.30 in the morning, when forest staff received a tip-off about illegal extraction of riverbed material from the Yamuna.

Upon reaching the location, the officials found 10-15 tractors — including modified ones equipped with backhoe attachments, commonly known as ‘tam tams’ — carrying out the illegal activity on government land.

These tractors were stationed approximately 60 metres from the right bank of the Yamuna, a significant violation of the state’s environmental regulations.

The high water current of the Yamuna presented a formidable challenge, making it difficult for the forest officials to reach the site, which was situated in the middle of the river. The offenders, however, found it easy to retreat from the spot, taking advantage of the river’s conditions.

The forest officials decided to wade through the 5-6 ft deep, fast-flowing waters of the Yamuna. Their efforts paid off as they successfully seized 17 tractors under provisions of the Indian Forest Act and the Mining Act. The action resulted in the realisation of fines amounting to over Rs 1.6 lakh.

Since the beginning of the 2022-23 fiscal year, over 550 cases of illegal mining have been registered across the Paonta Sahib, Bhagani and Majra forest ranges, with fines of over Rs 1 crore being levied.

The past two years and five months have seen a concerted effort by the Forest Department to enforce environmental laws and protect the region’s natural resources.

In addition to this raid, department officials have realised another Rs 1.5 lakh in fines from various mining cases across the Majra, Paonta Sahib and Bhagani forest ranges in the last 15 days.

In the current 2024-25 fiscal year alone, 76 cases have been registered under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, amounting to approximately Rs 14 lakh in fines.

In July, more than Rs 1.07 lakh in fines were imposed in 10 illegal mining cases in the Yamuna and Giri rivers.

Paonta Sahib Divisional Forest Officer Aishwarya Raj said the Forest Department had continuously been running campaigns to curb illegal mining activities.