Unabated illegal mining in Neugal river threatens environment, water sources

Unregulated and illegal mining in the Neugal River near Mundi village, approximately 30 km from Palampur, has led to severe environmental degradation and water pollution. The river, a vital drinking water source for lower Palampur, is now under threat. Despite persistent opposition from local residents, a stone crusher installed on the riverbank continues extracting stones using heavy machinery like JCBs and Poklanes, creating trenches up to four-metre deep in parts of the riverbed.

Illegal mining has become highly lucrative for the mafia in the lower areas of Palampur and Jaisinghpur, while local authorities, including the police and mining departments, appear complicit by ignoring these activities. Residents claim that the enforcement of the Chief Minister’s recent directive to ban illegal mining statewide remains ineffective in the Palampur region.

Several stone crushers operating near rivulets and tributaries of the Beas in Kangra continue polluting vital water sources despite the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) 2021 guidelines. These directives prohibit setting up stone crushers within 100 meters of water bodies under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. However, many crushers in Jaisinghpur and Thural violate these norms, further degrading water quality.

Efforts by local panchayats in Thural to combat illegal mining have been hampered by a lack of support from the police and mining authorities. Two months ago, a whistleblower and panchayat president was attacked by the mining mafia, sustaining severe injuries. Action against the perpetrators was taken only after media coverage brought attention to the incident.

Last week, the Chief Minister emphasised the economic and environmental losses caused by illegal mining during a meeting with the state’s Deputy Commissioners, directing them to enforce a complete ban on such activities. However, this directive has had little impact in Kangra district.

The ongoing illegal mining poses a dual threat to the environment and the drinking water security of the region. Immediate intervention by authorities is essential to address the violations and protect the river ecosystem.