Who allowed vandalisation of Sukhnag river and its flora and fauna in central Kashmir’s Budgam district? An official report paints a grim picture blaming illegal mining for destruction of the river.

Originating from glaciers in Pir Panjal Range, Sukhnag is one of the tributaries of Jhelum river. Passing through Tosa Maidan, the river flows through several villages in Budgam. Its water is mainly used for drinking and irrigation purposes. Failure of authorities to ensure protection of Sukhnag has given free hand to unscrupulous persons to undertake illegal riverbed mining—causing extensive damage to the river’s hydrology and flora, fauna and aquatic life including trout.

Failure of authorities to halt riverbed mining prompted Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, a prominent environmental activist, to file a petition in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2024. Acting on the complaint, the NGT took serious note of vandalisation of Sukhnag and passed slew of directions including seeking a report from the concerned Deputy Commissioner.

In January this year, the Joint Committee (JC) constituted by the NGT regarding destruction of Sukhnag in its preliminary findings and observations stated that illegal Riverbed Mining has devastated Sukhnag. A seven member team constituted by Deputy Commissioner Budgam to look into damages caused to Sukhnag river in Beerwah due to illegal mining has recently submitted its report to the NGT through JK Pollution Control Committee.

The report submitted by the committee........

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