A committee constituted by Himachal Pradesh government to determine reasons other than the climatic change, responsible for massive devastation in the state during the last monsoon season, has blamed unscientific and illegal mining along the river beds for the damages. .  

A spokesman of the state government said, “Unscientific and illegal mining along the river beds was responsible for the huge damage to life and property reported during the calamity in the state, besides climate change, in the interim report of the multi –sector committee submitted to the state government.”

“The committee found 68 stone crushers out of 131 operating in Beas River Basin running without necessary permission and only 50 operators having valid permits; seven crushers were washed away in the floods and six others were found having many irregularities,” the spokesman added.

The committee found, “Due to excessive muck dumping in the Beas River and on its banks, the flash floods caused enormous damage to life to both public and private property and found environmental balance of the river under great pressure requiring a scientific study.”

It has recommended granting permission to fifty stone crushers having valid permission to start operation for hours from 6 am to 6 pm as per state government’s guidelines and installation of CCTV cameras in all stone crusher sites, besides strict monitoring by industries department and pollution control board .

The spokesperson said, “The industries Department is studying the recommendations of the committee.” 

Sharing is caring!