CPI(M) asks J-K govt to prevent illegal mining

Jammu and Kashmir state unit of CPI (M) today expressed concern over the Comptroller and Auditor General report on illegal mining in the state and asked the government to take concrete measures for protecting eco-sensitive zones from "unabated" mineral extraction.
"We are concerned over the administration's casual approach vis-a-vis protecting eco-sensitive zones of Kashmir Valley from the peril of unabated extraction of minerals near wild life sanctuaries," CPI (M) state secretary M Y Tarigami said here.
"We urge the government to take concrete measures in light of the latest CAG report on mining in protected areas of the state," he said.

The CAG report for the year ending March 31, 2012, stated, "Granting of mining lease in protected areas has led to illegal mining which indicated casual approach of the (Geology and Mining) department towards the sensitive issue of environmental protection."
Describing the state administration "insensitive", Tarigami, who is a former chairman of the House Committee of the state legislature on environment, said the administration has violated the directions of the Supreme Court.
"The administration should have desisted from granting innumerable mining leases and it speaks volumes about its insensitivity towards protecting the fragile ecology of the state.
"Not only the Supreme Court's directions prohibiting mining in protected areas have been violated in clear cut terms but the administration has shown utter disregard for the import of recommendations put forth by the House Committee of state Legislative Assembly in this regard," he said.