Waris Ramzan
Pattan, June 18 (Gulistan News): A silent disaster is taking shape in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Pattan tehsil of Baramulla district, where the ecologically vital and historically significant Karewas are being destroyed due to uncontrolled soil excavation. While officials assert the legality of these projects, geologists, environmentalists and concerned citizens warn of irreversible damage to their areas ecology, heritage and climate.
Karewas, unique table-lands of Kashmir, are reservoirs of the valley’s history, crucial for maintaining ecological balance, farming and grazing. Despite the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Act of 1996 explicitly prohibiting altering the topographic shape of Karewas or hills, the reality on the ground suggests otherwise.
The Director of Geology and Mining Kashmir claims there is no illegal activity, asserting that teams constantly monitor sites. District-level teams, under the supervision of the DC Baramulla, are reportedly on the ground. According to DMO Baramulla, soil extraction in Pattan has been ongoing for the last four to five months for two government projects, the Pattan bypass and the four-laning of the Srinagar-Baramulla road.
SDM Pattan maintains that all operations are conducted with proper permissions after site feasibility assessments by composite teams. “If any apprehensions arise regarding non-compliance or objections, operations are immediately stopped,” the SDM stated, citing examples in Khanpeth Pattan and Palhallan.
However, many experts and locals argue otherwise. Renowned historian Zareef Ahmad Zareef laments the loss of heritage, tracing it back to the 1970s when the government filled the historic Nallah Mar. “From that point, we began losing our heritage. Today, we witness a rise in temperature, global warming, ecological imbalance and climatic changes. This destruction has been fueled by political corruption. Even our ancestors, with limited knowledge, never harmed nature the way we do,” Zareef observed.
Hamid Rather, a lawyer and public policy expert, questions the integrity of environmental assessments conducted for such projects. “The reality is alarming; soil mining is rampant, unregulated and visibly destroying the unique Karewas. This is a deep governance failure, further worsened by the silence of local leadership,” Rather said, directly criticizing MLA Pattan Riyaz Bedar for his inaction. “Infrastructure is important, but not at the cost of irreparable environmental degradation. Karewas are our heritage and their destruction is a silent tragedy.”
Social activist Farooq Ahmad warns of the long-term consequences of Karewa destruction on the region’s environment, economy and topography.
“Karewas are central to our ecological balance, farming and grazing. Their destruction will have negative effects that we cannot undo,” he stated.
A local resident, speaking anonymously, stated the need for development but questioned the lack of alternatives to protect these fertile lands. They alleged that soil extraction is also being exploited by mafias for private land-filling and commercial purposes. “The government must declare Karewas as heritage lands and explore alternative ways to utilize them, such as saffron cultivation,” the resident urged.
Repeated calls to MLA Pattan Javid Riyaz Bedar went unanswered.
(Gulistan News)
