SHIMLA, Himachal Pradesh (CU)_Over the recent years, a noteworthy increase in illegal mining activities have been reported in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. According to the state’s police department, during the period between January 2018 and May 2021, more than 25,000 challans of illegal mining was issued, of which nearly 21,600 were impounded. The problem is particularly common in the districts of Kangra, Sirmaur, Una, Chamba and Solan, while the banks of the Ravi, Sutlej, Beas, Swan and Mand rivers are said to be severely affected.
“In recent years, the sand mining industry has grown exponentially as a major economic activity due to the spurt in construction and urban expansion. Due to deforestation, incidents of flash floods have increased,” Himachal Pradesh director general of police Sanjay Kundu said. According to recent studies, apart from the environmental effects, the illegal activities are also causing loss to the state exchequer since mined minerals are often being smuggled into other states.
So far, authorities have been launching legal action against these malpractices under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and Rules. However, they have proven to be insufficient and hence, Himachal Pradesh Police has decided to their strategy to address the matter.
“Therefore, it is imperative that we widen the scope of police action to offer a greater deterrent to such illegal mining,” Kundu noted. “The deterrent action has to include both increased presence in the vulnerable areas and more efficient and directed use of technology and criminal prosecution.”
According to the director general of police, under the new strategy, authorities will focus on discovering and exposing the big mining mafia behind these operations. “These people will work from behind the curtain and can be tied to offences only with methodical investigation. A robust intelligence will be developed for which mobile data of vulnerable areas can be analysed to find out movements during odd hours,” he said.
Moreover, CCTV systems will be installed in selected locations to observe movement of vehicles, while officials will share real-time intelligence with neighbouring states to expand available information. Drones will also be used in certain instances if possible.
