Uttarakhand HC Sets March 10 Hearing For Bageshwar Soapstone Mining Impact Case

Bageshwar Soapstone

The Uttarakhand High Court has scheduled a hearing on March 10 to further examine the effects of soapstone mining in Bageshwar district, which has reportedly caused significant damage to local villages.

This follows an initial hearing of a Public Interest Litigation addressing issues like cracks in homes and the destruction of agricultural lands.

Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of The Issue

The court, led by Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Mehra, has taken notice of the problem on its own and directed the state government to provide details about the mining operations. They have also asked the government to verify the residents’ claims regarding the adverse impacts of the mining activities.

More Into The Case

The issue was brought to the court’s attention through a heartfelt letter from the villagers of Kanda tehsil. The letter described severe disruptions caused by unauthorized soapstone mining, including the destruction of homes and water supply lines. The villagers expressed concern that while wealthier individuals have relocated, the poorer residents are left to cope with the environmental damage.

Investigation Findings Shared With The Court

During the hearing, Bageshwar’s Superintendent of Police, Anil Kumar, who also chairs the investigation committee, joined via video conference. He informed the court that 72 mining sites had been inspected, with findings from 55 of them already submitted for judicial review.