Himachal: Illegal mining increased after the new mineral policy
Himachal Pradesh: The state government’s decision to allow the use of heavy machinery in mining activities has led to an alarming rise in illegal mining in Himachal Pradesh. JCBs and Poklen machines can now be seen in almost every river and stream, extracting huge quantities of mining material, causing great damage to the environment. This change came in 2024 when the state government introduced a new mining policy replacing the 11-year-old Mineral Policy-2013, which was implemented during the tenure of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Under the new Mineral Policy, 2024, the use of heavy machines like JCBs and Poklen excavators has been officially permitted to extract minerals up to a depth of two metres from the river bed. Stone crusher owners have also been given the right to use such machines under the revised policy. While the state government claims that the new policy has helped curb illegal mining and increase revenue collection, environmental groups strongly disagree. Activists argue that this policy has led to massive environmental degradation, as heavy machinery is unscientifically digging up the river bed, often working round the clock without any monitoring.
Local environmentalists, including Ashwani Gautam of Save Newgal River and KB Ralhan of People’s Voice, have expressed serious concern over the devastating impact of unrestricted mining. Speaking to The Tribune, they said that deep trenches have formed in the Newgal river since the arrival of heavy machinery, drying up several lift irrigation schemes operated by the IPH department. The constant digging has also led to a decrease in the water level in rivers in the region, disrupting the local ecosystem. In Jaisinghpur, huge machines have been seen extracting sand and stones from the middle of the Beas river, in blatant violation of environmental rules. Local residents report that animals often fall into these deep pits and die, further worsening the ecological crisis. According to these activists, the mining lobby had been lobbying to legalise the use of heavy machinery for two decades, but successive governments opposed their demands. This is the first time a government has openly allowed the use of JCBs and Poklanes for mining operations, giving a boost to unregulated mining.
Varun Bhuria, a long-time advocate against illegal mining in the Nyagal river, pointed out that both the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the High Court had earlier opposed the use of heavy machinery for sand, stone and mineral extraction. Most of the rivers in the state flow through protected forest areas, making them highly sensitive ecosystems that must be protected from large-scale commercial exploitation. He further cited a Supreme Court judgment, which states that every protected forest must have an eco-sensitive buffer zone of at least 1 km, where mining is strictly prohibited. Additionally, the Court has emphasised that mining activities within national wildlife sanctuaries and national parks cannot be permitted under any circumstances. Despite these legal safeguards, illegal mining continues unchecked, wreaking havoc on Himachal Pradesh’s natural landscape. Environmentalists and concerned citizens are now urging the state government to reconsider its policy before irreparable damage is done to the region’s fragile river ecosystem.
