SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Environment on Thursday called for strict action against illegal mining and urged the Geology and Mining Department to adopt technology-driven monitoring systems, including satellite surveillance and GPS tracking, to protect natural resources.
The directions were issued during a review meeting of the Geology and Mining Department chaired by Committee Chairman M.Y. Tarigami.
The meeting was attended by committee members, including MLAs Prof. Gharu Ram, Dr Baldev Raj Sharma, Daleep Singh, Showkat Hussain Ganie, Javaid Ahmad Mirchal, Dr Sajjad Shafi, Salman Sagar, Javaid Riyaz (Bedar) and Dr Rameshwar Singh.
Tarigami said natural resources belong to the people and their indiscriminate exploitation would not be tolerated. He stressed the need to move beyond conventional monitoring methods and adopt satellite surveillance, GPS tracking and digital systems to ensure scientific and transparent mineral extraction.
The committee reviewed the Action Taken Report on recommendations submitted during the Budget Session 2026 and also assessed the status of the Comprehensive Minor Mining Policy-2026.
Committee members jointly urged the department to strengthen enforcement of mining laws, curb illegal extraction and expedite the implementation of technology-based monitoring systems, including GPS tracking, e-permits, e-challans and the Unified Mining Portal.
The legislators also called for closer coordination between the Geology and Mining Department, Revenue Department, Police, Forest Department and district administrations to curb illegal mining, protect the environment and improve revenue generation.
Additional Chief Secretary, Geology and Mining, Ashwani Kumar, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC), Director, Geology and Mining, district mining officers and officers of the Legislative Assembly attended the meeting.
