Mining Menace: Panel Calls for Sustainable Practices in Bageshwar

An expert panel has raised alarms over the unscientific mining practices in Uttarakhand's Bageshwar district, highlighting their severe impact on local habitats and communities. The report, submitted to the National Green Tribunal, underscores the need for sweeping reforms in mining activities within the fragile Himalayan region.

Following multiple complaints of environmental damage and compromised safety, the panel conducted comprehensive assessments and discovered that mining operations have dangerously altered natural slopes. The influential report warns of the vulnerability to landslides and rockfalls, alongside the detriment to water sources and local agriculture.

Experts stress the urgent requirement for a more rigorous monitoring mechanism, advocating for sustainable mining practices, including controlled blasting and proper drainage management. Recommendations include extensive analysis by reputed institutions to verify the accuracy of slope stability evaluations and the establishment of a geo-referenced database for better oversight.

(With inputs from agencies.)