Forest dept cracks the whip on mining mafia in Chamba

In the wake of illegal mining and garbage-dumping continuing surreptitiously in the riverbeds of Chamba, the forest department has launched a major crackdown against mining mafia in the region.

In the wake of illegal mining and garbage-dumping continuing surreptitiously in the riverbeds of Chamba, the forest department has launched a major crackdown against mining mafia in the region.

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Various teams of forest officials are conducting raids to check illegal mining activities and action has been taken against those involved in the mining of sand and gravel without environmental clearances, the department has claimed.

Chief conservator of forests (CCF) ARM Reddy said 24 FIRs have been registered in the cases of illegal mining from Ravi river and Suel and other local rivulets in Pukhri, Chamba, Sahoo and Sundla areas over the last one month.

He added that in the last 11 months, 113 cases of illegal mining have been registered in the district and `5.1 lakh realised from the violators as penalty.

The official said in spite of a concerted campaign against such activities, illegal mining and garbage-dumping were being carried out in odd hours in the areas surrounding the town.

“We are maintaining a strict vigil and strict action will be taken against those involved in such activities,” said Reddy, expressing appreciation of the forest officials' efforts.