Bageshwar: A committee, which include a geologist, mining officer and Patwari, is trying to ascertain reasons leading to the Joshimath-like situation in the Kanda area, where cracks have appeared in homes, temples, fields and roads, in the state’s hill district of Bageshwar.
The development is significant in view of the Suo moto cognizance taken recently by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the basis of media reports regarding Joshimath-like situation in Bageshwar’s Kanda area.
NGT issues notices to the respondents
A bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, chairperson, and Dr Afroz Ahmad, issued notice to respondents- central pollution control board, Uttarakhand pollution control board, ministry of environment, forest and climate change (Uttarakhand) and District Magistrate, Bagehswar on August 30. The NGT has asked the respondents to file their reply before the next date of hearing. The matter will come up for hearing again in December 2024.
A committee examined the affected areas
A committee, constituted by Bageshwar DM Anuradha Pal, has examined the affected areas and tried to ascertain the reasons behind this land-subsidence induced by soapstone mining in Kandakanyal area of the district. District Mining Officer Jigyasa Bisht said, “The committee consisted of a geologist, district mining officer, Nayab Tehsildar and Patwari visited the affected area two days ago and examined sites where cracks appeared. Now, we are waiting for the geologist’s findings to prepare the final report to be submitted to the DM,” she told news9live.com.
Joshimath-like situation emerged in Bageshwar
Bageshwar, a district in Uttarakhand, is well known for its rich soapstone deposits. Here, the locals have been facing a crisis similar to the Joshimath land-subsidence disaster, as cracks started appearing in homes, walls, fields and roads due to the excessive mining. Currently, the state government has approved 90 soapstone mines in which about one-third of these mines are operational.
Environmental impact and safety issues
In recent years, the locals have raised concerns about the government’s negligence to this serious problem. According to them, their houses and fields developed deep cracks after soapstone mining started in their area. Earlier, they were happy in hopes of getting jobs when mining started in their area. but, use of heavy machinery in extraction caused severe damage to homes, fields and roads. They also complain about government negligence as no geological expert was assigned to assess the situation so far.