Mining at Mahendrapur

Despite widespread knowledge that uncontrolled mining can lead to disastrous results, mining activities in Uttarakhand are on the rise. A case in point is the mining that is going on unabated on River Song at Mahendrapur. Situated at a distance of about half-an-hour from Doon city, Mahendrapur is a picturesque area surrounded by mountains. It is a beautiful weekend getaway that is under threat today. Here a free hand seems to have been given by the government to carry out stone and gravel mining. That itself is ruining the fabric of this verdant area. What is worse is that illegal mining, too, seems to be robbing the area of its intrinsic wealth. When The Times of Doon visited the area, local residents showed pits that had been dug up at various spots on the river bed.

For the past number of days, local residents have been witness to mining for gravel and boulders on this river bed. They have raised their voices and met with many government officials. Villagers reveal that they can see the very topography of the area change in front of their eyes. The river bed has been loosened to such an extent that the river is bound to lose its course. Ultimately the sufferers will be no one but the local people living in the adjoining areas.

A visit to the area reveals a shocking picture. The place is crowded with huge trucks many emitting black smoke when loaded and on their way out, while the labourers are busy digging furiously. What is being chiefly objected to by locals is the fact that instead of chugaan (picking stones, boulders and gravel), there is indiscriminate khanan (digging up) going on extensively. On the condition of anonymity, a villager says, "It seems the permission is only for Tehri region. Yet the trucks trespass into Doon at any time of the day to collect their booty. There are no representatives of the government present to ensure that no violation is being done. There is no security or police personnel present to monitor the activity at the sites. Mining has brought in many labourers here who have set up their hutments here. They are using the forest wood for cooking."

Another local person informs that the area is being plundered mercilessly over the years and many trees too have been cut. "Cutting of trees is a regular activity here. This area was a leopard-infested zone. But now our wildlife is disappearing."

An important concern with the villagers here is the gradual drying up of the river. A resident of the area avers, "The river is shriveling up. It is also changing its courses and the water is flowing all directionless. That day is not far when the villagers will not get any water from this river. This digging can lead to severe water shortage." Prakash Singh Panawr, Van Panchayat Sarpanch, Bharwa Village, reveals that the villages that would ultimately bear the brunt of this callous plundering in the region include Katal, Jhoti, Dubda, Dubdi, Mahendrapur, apart from many others.

Local villagers, keep mum for fear of being harassed by the mafia. Farid (name changed) says mining has increased in the past few weeks.

"I go for walks often and I have seen trucks filling in boulders from just about anywhere. The river is being depleted fast," he states.