Srinagar, April 7 -- A joint team constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) conducted a ground inspection in Pulwama and Budgam to assess large-scale environmental damage caused by alleged illegal mining in Karewa lands.
The team, comprising officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and district administrations, visited affected areas including Zadoora, Rangeen Kultreh, and Chadoora. Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama and Budgam accompanied the inspection.
Preliminary findings point to severe degradation of nearly 1,000 kanals of Karewa and orchard land due to unregulated extraction of clay, sand, and gravel using heavy machinery without mandatory environmen...