Kupwara,Jan,08 :The year 2025 proved to be a difficult period for illegal mining activities in Kupwara district, particularly in the Langate area, due to strict and continuous action by the Geology & Mining Department with strong support from Handwara and Kupwara Police.
According to official figures of the Geology & Mining Department Kupwara for the financial year 2024–25 (up to December 2024), the department collected ₹1.39 crore as royalty, imposed penalties worth ₹66 lakh, and made 364 seizures.
In comparison, during the following year up to December 2025, enforcement action intensified further. The department collected ₹1.77 crore as royalty, imposed ₹1.25 crore in penalties, carried out 860 seizures, and registered 57 FIRs. These figures clearly show that the crackdown on illegal mining continued in a strong and sustained manner.
The Langate area remained the main focus of enforcement. As per Police Post Langate, teams working under the directions of SSP Handwara and under the supervision of Chowki Officer Rayees Ahmad conducted regular operations throughout the year. The police recovered over ₹17 lakh as fines, seized 135 vehicles and machines involved in illegal mining, and registered 15 FIRs, the highest within sub-district Handwara.
Police officials said that 2025 was significant as no tragic incident related to illegal mining was reported in and around Nallah Mawar. They ensured that no JCBs or heavy machinery were allowed to operate illegally in the water body.
Civil society members, social activists, senior citizens, and students have welcomed the firm action by the administration. They recalled that in earlier years, illegal mining caused serious damage to agricultural land, bridges, and even led to loss of human lives. Improved monitoring and police control, they said, has helped protect Nallah Mawar, an important source of drinking water in the region.
Environmental experts also expressed concern, warning that illegal mining near bridges, roads, forests, and water bodies poses a serious threat to the environment. They cautioned that unchecked mining could damage Nallah Mawar and worsen climate related challenges.
District Mining Officer Kupwara, Mumtaz Hussain appreciated the cooperation of Handwara and Kupwara Police, stating that the results were achieved through collective efforts. He clarified that the department’s main objective was not revenue generation but the protection of natural resources. Preventing loss of human life due to illegal mining in 2025, he said, was a major achievement.
The district administration has urged the public to cooperate with authorities and spread awareness about the harmful effects of illegal mining, warning that strict legal action will continue against violators.
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