Sutlej to Neugal: Sand mining mafia unchecked

THE alarming persistence of illegal mining along the Sutlej in Punjab and in the Palampur region of Himachal Pradesh underscores a glaring governance deficit that is wreaking havoc on the environment, local infrastructure and people’s lives. Despite periodic bans and administrative directives, the illegal extraction of sand and other minerals continues unabated, facilitated by a nexus of political patronage, local complicity and institutional apathy.

In Punjab, villages such as Dullewala, Isapur, Mand Daulatpur and Massaffarwal are facing the brunt of unchecked quarrying. On average, 10-15 trolleys of sand are illicitly removed daily from the Sutlej riverbanks. For the villagers, this is more than a nuisance; it is a disaster in the making. The erosion of riverbanks, lowering of the water table and destruction of embankments increase the risk of floods and disrupt agriculture and livelihoods. Despite clear evidence and public outcry, cases are rarely registered and enforcement remains tokenistic. The situation in Palampur is equally dire. Illegal miners have diverted the natural flow of khuds and rivulets like the Neugal, Mandh and Mol, directly impacting irrigation systems and drinking water schemes. What was once a lifeline for farmers and residents is now being exploited for short-term gains. The drying up of water sources and the degradation of over 2,000 hectares of land reveal the scale of the damage, as flagged by local MLAs and media.

The governments of both states must go beyond lip service and cosmetic actions. Strengthening regulatory oversight, empowering local communities to report violations, deploying drone surveillance and prosecuting offenders, including officials and local representatives, are essential to curb this menace. Mining mafias thrive where institutions fail. It is time to reclaim rivers not just from sand diggers, but also from systemic negligence that threatens ecological and human security.

Editorials