Date | Dec 29, 2015: Extensive extraction of limestone for commercial use has wreaked havoc with the environment in parts of South Kashmir. Blasting of mountains has disturbed the habitat of wild animals, besides endangering human life in the areas around Khanmoh. While chest and eye ailments are on the rise in the area, the wild animals have been forced to seek refuge into the residential areas. The Valley is blessed with lofty mountains that play an important role in maintaining its fragile eco-system, but reckless extraction of stones and other raw material illegally is gradually damaging the mountains and subsequently affecting flora and fauna. Mining is rampant in the catchment areas of the Dachigam National Park and Khrew-Khanmoh Conserve Reserve, which is the last bastion of critically endangered Hangul, or Kashmir Stag. Environmentalists say the mining of limestone and the harmful emission from over a dozen cement factories in the fragile zone are adversely affecting the human population and wildlife, besides saffron and almond production. Chest, eye and skin ailments have registered an alarming increase around the mining areas. The Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 prohibits destruction of habitat of a wild animal in a National Park, Sanctuary or Conservation reserve. The wildlife conservation strategy 2002 mandates that “land falling within 10 kms of the boundaries of National Parks and Sanctuaries should be notified as eco-fragile zones under Environment (Protection) Act and Rules. Unplanned mining directly contributes to air, noise and water pollution, threatening the wild animals in the Dachigam National Park. Heavy blasting in the area increases the vibration level and causes soil erosion. Emission levels in the affected areas are higher than the prescribed emission of Air Pollution prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, experts believe. As per the Mines Act 1952, a lessee is required to make benches which shall be sloped at the angle less than 60 degree and height of the bench shall not exceed six meters. The matter has been repeatedly taken up with the concerned, but without any results. The mining rules are being openly flouted in Zewan, Pantha Chowk and Verinag stone quarries. But, is anybody listening?

(Source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com/)