Despite High Court directions, district administration has failed to stop illegal soil excavation in historical Parihaspora’s Gowardan area of the Baramulla.
Residents from these areas Saturday told Rising Kashmir that soil excavation and its smuggling resumed again in gloominess of nights which otherwise was stopped owing the issue reported in Rising Kashmir on March 17 this year.
Several residents told Rising Kashmir that illegal smuggling of soil excavation started once again for the past one week.
A resident Bashir Ahmad said illegal smuggling of soil excavation from historical Parihaspora, once capital of the country has restarted again in the darkness of night’s right under the nose of the administration.
Residents from these areas allegedly said that there is a hand in glove of the government officials.
A local Devar Parihaspora Ghulam Hassan said that illegal soil excavation is going unchecked in Gowardan area, as hundreds of tippers; tractors laden with soil are being smuggled every passing day.
As per locals, illegal soil excavation has posed a threat to the rich heritage of Buddhist monuments in the area as it has been declared protected by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
Ghulam Mohammad, a local resident said illegal soil excavation is going unabated in the village and accused local administration for providing support to contractors.
“Both local police and revenue department officials are working in close coordination and area is being openly bulldozed and no one is unable to stop this illegal practice,” he said.
Mohammad said they are taking advantage of prevailing situation in Kashmir and are seen openly violating the high court orders.
“Tippers and tractors are being used to transport soil to other areas during night and it has posed a threat to the historical monuments in the village,” he said.
Another local Shahid Ahmad said despite repeated attempts to local administration to curb illegal soil excavation in area, things have remained Unchanged on the ground.
He said hundreds of tippers are seen furring soil from the nearby Kakapora Karnewas.
Most of the time, the roads in the village are occupied by these tippers, he said.
“From 7 in the morning till late midnight, the tippers are seen ferrying the soil while administration is acting as mute spectators in the issue,” he said.
Ahmad said permission of soil excavation has been given by district officials but there is no specific timing for the whole process.
Talking to Rising Kashmir, Tehsildar Singpora, Nisar Ahmad Ahwar said, no excavation is being carried at Gowardan area of Parihaspora.
“I would further convey the message to concerned D.O. Police,” he said.