Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 23
The Jammu and Kashmir government has told the Legislative Assembly that mineral extraction is being regulated through environmental clearances, district-level assessments and enforcement mechanisms to balance construction demand with environmental protection.
In a written reply to MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone, the Mining Department said extraction was governed by the J&K Minor Mineral Concession, Storage, Transportation and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2016, along with applicable environmental regulations.
The government said riverbed mineral extraction takes into account carrying capacity, river morphology and the protection of bridges, roads, embankments and irrigation infrastructure.
It said enforcement teams conduct seizures and recover penalties and royalties in cases of illegal mining and transportation.
The department is also using GPS, vehicle-tracking devices, electronic transit passes and digital monitoring systems.
District-level task forces headed by deputy commissioners oversee mining activity, while a vigilance-cum-enforcement team operates in Kashmir division.
The government said mineral transportation was being regulated through electronic challans and check posts at strategic locations.
