Justice for Neugal: Himachal HC orders action against mining nexus

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has expressed deep concern over rampant and unscientific illegal mining in the Neugal river. Acting on a public interest litigation (PIL), the court has directed the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, to submit an affidavit detailing the action taken against reckless mining activities in the river.

As per records presented before the court, only five individuals have been fined in 2024–25, and just one case has been registered against offenders. The court has also sought a status report regarding the posting and role of the District Mining Officer in Kangra, under whose jurisdiction widespread violations are being reported. This order follows the scrutiny of a report submitted by a high-level committee constituted by the court, which recently conducted a spot inspection of the Neugal river.

Unregulated extraction has caused severe ecological damage, turning the Neugal — a crucial drinking water source for lower Palampur — into a site of alarming environmental degradation and water pollution. Despite opposition from residents, the mining mafia continues to operate with impunity, using heavy machinery such as JCBs and Poklanes to dig trenches as deep as four metres along the riverbed.

Illegal mining has emerged as a highly lucrative business in the Palampur and Jaisinghpur belts, allegedly aided by the inaction of local authorities, police, and mining officials. Residents argue that the Chief Minister’s directive banning illegal mining statewide has not been enforced in the region.

Compounding the crisis, several stone crushers near tributaries of the Beas in Kangra continue to function in blatant violation of the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) 2021 order. The guidelines, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, prohibit crushers within 100 metres of water bodies. Yet, units in Jaisinghpur and Thural remain operational, worsening water contamination.

Local resistance has been met with intimidation. In one shocking incident last year, Sat Pal, the panchayat president of Thural who spoke out against mining, was brutally attacked by the mafia. Authorities acted against the culprits only after the media highlighted the case.

The unchecked exploitation of the Neugal river now threatens both the fragile ecosystem and the drinking water security of thousands in the region. Urgent intervention and strict enforcement of laws are critical to avert a looming environmental and public health disaster.