Srinagar: The Government on Friday said that mining activities in Pantha chowk-Khonmoh belts of Srinagar have been banned while several rehabilitative measures were initiated for affected stakeholders.
Replying to a question of Ahsan Pardesi, the concerned minister said that the Mining activities in Athwajan, Zewan, Panthachowk and Khanmouh Stone Quarry Belts in District Srinagar has been banned by the Government vide Government Order No. 202-IND of 2016 dated 24-11-2016.
He said that several rehabilitative measures were initiated for affected Stakeholders.
He said that the affected quarry holders were proposed to be rehabilitated at an alternate site in Aripora Zewan. However, they have been unable to obtain the requisite NoCs for the grant of a mineral concession, as the matter remains sub judice. Moreover, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has disallowed the site, stating that it falls within a prohibited zone and is part of a conservation reserve where any form of mining is prohibited.
“The Department has identified available alternate sites (State land) at Shalguf and Zewan, District Srinagar, for the rehabilitation/relocation of the affected quarry holders of Athwajan and Panthachowk (a total of 178 persons). In this regard, Block-A at Shalguf and Blocks B1 and B2 at Zewan have been declared as clusters of quarries under the provisions of the J&K Minor Mineral Concession, Storage, Transportation of Minerals, and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2016, so that quarry licenses can be granted to the quarry holders, subject to the submission of statutory formalities, including an Approved Mining Plan (AMP), Environment Clearance (EC), Consent to Operate (CTO), and NoCs from the concerned stakeholder departments. However, the inhabitants of these areas (Shalguf and Zewan) have expressed their resentment toward the aforementioned decision due to concerns over significant noise and dust pollution anticipated from the proposed mining activity.” He said.
“The other quarry belts in District Srinagar, viz Zewan and Khanmoh, have been designated as clusters ofquarries for cooperative extraction under the relevant rules. The quarry holders have been asked to submit the requisite clearances and documents, which are still pending.” He said.
“To ensure the availability of key construction materials for important Government projects and to support the livelihood of affected quarry holders, the department is issuing Short-Term Disposal Permits for the removal of slided loose material, subject to the payment of royalty and other applicable charges from these quarry belts.” He added further.—(JKNS)
