30/10/2025
Illegal Mining Rampant in Mathar Daksum Amid Hydroelectric Project Construction: Public Demands Action
Widespread illegal mining activities have been reported from the forest-rich Mathar area of Daksum, where a hydroelectric power project is currently under construction. Visual evidence captured over the past several months reveals extensive and unauthorized excavation using heavy machinery from the Brengi River and its tributaries raising serious environmental, legal, and administrative concerns.
Local residents allege that these activities have been ongoing both day and night, causing irreversible damage to the river ecosystem and surrounding forest areas. Shockingly, these operations are allegedly being carried out without any statutory clearances or No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the concerned departments.
An official RTI response from the District Mineral Office, Anantnag has confirmed:
No NOC was issued for extraction of minerals or construction material from Brengi River.
No NOC was issued for the construction of the hydroelectric project itself.
However, on 06 August 2025, a dump of 65 MTs of illegally extracted Nallah muck was seized at Chakura Daksum.
Offender: Junaid Mohammad Makroo.
Penalty Imposed: ₹18,730 under SRO-105 of 2016.
Despite this clear violation, no significant enforcement or preventive action appears to have been taken by the concerned departments, including Forest, Geology & Mining, Fisheries, and the local civil administration. This inaction has led to growing public anger and demands for accountability.
Locals have called for: Immediate halt to all illegal mining activities.Departmental action against the officials who failed to act despite complaints and evidence.
Independent investigation into ongoing violations under forest and environmental laws.
The public urges the administration to ensure legal compliance, environmental safeguards, and transparency in all developmental activities, especially in ecologically sensitive areas like Daksum in the vicinity of power project.
Wake up before the scene of destruction unfolds before your eyes.....
