Kangra DC warns of FIRs, penalties in illegal mining cases

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa on Tuesday directed district officials concerned to intensify surveillance and take stringent action against illegal mining. He warned that those indulging in unauthorised extraction of minor minerals at any place would attract FIRs and environmental penalties.

Bairwa, while presiding over a meeting on illegal mining in the ecologically sensitive Kangra district, stressed the need for strict adherence of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines to protect rivers, environment and public infrastructure.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Vinay Kumar, Additional SP Veer Bahadur, District Mining Officer Rajiv Kalia, SDMs, Tehsildars and police and forest department officials attended the meeting.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed the SDMs and the Mining Department officials to regularly inspect vulnerable locations and report violations without delay. To strengthen enforcement, the administration would constitute joint inspection teams comprising officials from the revenue, police, forest and mining departments. These teams would submit periodic reports to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, he added.

Bairwa expressed concern over the adverse effects of illegal mining and said such activities lead to riverbed degradation, environmental damage and the deterioration of roads and infrastructure, ultimately harming local communities.

He announced additional measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras at critical points, drone surveillance in illegal mining zones and the establishment of a dedicated control room for swift action on complaints. "Awareness campaigns will also be launched in mining-prone regions," he added.

Bairwa said, “The district administration is committed to safeguarding the environment. Strict action will be taken against those involved in illegal mining.”

Officials from border areas stated that some stone crushers operating in Punjab were involved in illegal mining in Himachal's territory, damaging local roads and surroundings. The Deputy Commissioner directed the officials to impose environmental compensation and get FIRs registered against these violators.