Despite ban, illegal mining in Binwa river goes on unabated near Baijnath

Rampant illegal and unscientific mining in the Binwa river near Baijnath, about 20 km from Palampur, has triggered deep concern among residents. Despite persistent resistance from locals, the mining mafia continues to extract stones using heavy machinery such as JCB machines, digging trenches nearly four metres deep into the riverbed.

Information gathered by The Tribune reveals that ever since the government permitted the use of heavy machinery for sand and stone extraction, the situation has deteriorated drastically. Though mining is completely banned in the Binwa, illegal activity continues round the clock. Repeated directions from the Himachal Pradesh High Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to enforce the ban have gone largely unheeded.

Efforts by local panchayats and environmental groups have been repeatedly undermined due to inadequate support from the enforcement agencies, including the police and the Mining Department. Residents of Hared village near Paprola say that heavy machinery is openly used in broad daylight to extract sand and stones. Despite multiple complaints to the authorities concerned, illegal operations continue unabated on both government and private land, leading to severe environmental damage, deforestation and water pollution. Local water channels, drinking water schemes and village roads have also suffered extensive damage.

Villagers warn that the Binwa, a crucial drinking water source for lower Baijnath, is now under serious threat. They allege that illegal mining has become a lucrative business for the mafia, while the local authorities turn a blind eye.

During the recent Assembly session in Dharamsala, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had stressed the economic and environmental losses caused by illegal mining. He had directed the Deputy Commissioners, SPs and other officials to enforce a complete ban immediately.