Srinagar, April 10 -- Responding to rising concerns over illegal mining, particularly in District Budgam, the government said authorities have intensified enforcement actions. "Between 2022 and January 2025, a total of 1,499 vehicles and machinery involved in unauthorized extraction were seized, and 79 FIRs were lodged. The cumulative compounding fines collected during this period amounted to Rs 1.63 crore," it said.

The figures were shared by the Jammu and Kashmir government in the Legislative Assembly, following queries raised by 14 MLAs regarding illegal mining activities in the Dood-Ganga and Shali Ganga rivers in Budgam.

In its response, the government denied any recent illegal exploitation in these areas, asserting that stringent ...