Despite ban on extraction of stones, boulders and sand from streams in this frontier district, the illegal practice is going on unabated at various spots in Kupwara, Lolab, Kehmil and Mawar streams disturbing the ecology of the area.Residents said the practice was affecting agricultural activities as the water level in these streams was decreasing, leading to shortage of irrigation and drinking water. “Some years ago, there were dozens of springs and streams flowing through this area. Now the water level is decreasing in these streams due to illegal extraction of sand and boulders,” Mohammad Maqbool Chairman Of Mawar Forum told Kashmir News Service (KNS).“Besides, this indiscriminate extraction is disintegrating rocks in the nullahs, making the low-lying residential areas more prone to floods,” he added.
The stone crusher units operate on the banks of the nullah for about six to eight hours daily, extracting tonnes of stones and sand. Heavy vehicles including tippers, tractors and JCB machines are mainly used by contractors for extraction of sand and boulders from the streams and transported to other areas in the district.At Mawar nullha in Langate tehsils, stones and boulders are indiscriminately extracted which is ravaging the ecology of the area and aqua-fauna, said Secretary of Mawar ForumItequla Beigh.He also warned that if government will not intervene they will start agitation.