Pulwama, July 09: The rampant illegal excavation of Karewa land in villages on fringes between Pulwama-Budgam districts goes unabated since last 25 years.
In violation to section 133 of Land Revenue Act, excavation of soil is prohibited in Jammu and Kashmir; however, the excavation of Karewa land in Parigam, Wanpora (Pulwama), Kuzura, Magraypora, Gowharpora (Budgam) continues unabated under the nose of authorities.
Jan Mohammad, a resident hailing from one of the said villages, told Kashmir Images that noise of moving Tippers and Dumpers during night hours disturb their sleep. “Around 1500 Tippers and Dumpers make rounds on Wanpora-Srinagar and Pampore Chadoora road during nighttime,” Mohammad said.
Residents also alleged that due to the flow of dust from loaded vehicles, the health conditions of children deteriorate day by day. “The excavation of land has led to vanishing of prestigious dry fruit tress like Almond, Walnut,” they said.
They added that the Karewa is now a barren land without any vegetation and even Saffron cultivation has extinct from the area. “Around sixty-percent of Karewa land has been unearthed in Budgam villages and around forty-percent in Pulwama villages.”
Residents also complained that as the evening approaches, more than 20 JCB machines start loading Tippers and Dumpers till early morning hours and carry it to different places of Srinagar district.
Residents of the affected villages said that repeatedly representatives of villages approached to concerned authorities with this grave issue but to no avail.
Residents also alleged that it looks like nexus of officials and brokers as no action has been taken against law breakers.
Tehsildar Pulwama, Tahir Ahmad, said that he visited Parigam -Wanpora area of Pulwama a couple of days ago. “The situation is very pathetic. I proposed before higher authorities for imposing public safety act against the offenders. This is the only way to curb the menace,” he said, adding that they identified a number of chronic excavators and registered FIR against them.
Sub District Magistrate Chadoora area told Kashmir Images that they will act against the violators and acknowledged the excavation of Karewa land in his jurisdiction.
