Bandipora, Sept. 18 -- Suhail Rather

The District Mineral Officer Bandipora on Thursday said that the administration has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, warning that strict punitive action will follow against those found extracting minerals without authorisation.

"Vehicles used in illegal transportation of sand, gravel and other minerals are being seized, and hefty fines are being imposed," the DMO said, adding that regular inspections are being carried out along rivers and nallahs most vulnerable to unlawful extraction.

The officer appealed to people to treat mineral wealth as a public resource and not a commodity for misuse. "Our mineral wealth is a public resource. Its misuse damages the environment and hampers developm...