Kupwara, Sep 7: Unabated extraction of stones from various mountains here is taking a heavy toll on the eco-system posing a major threat for the people.
 Large scale stone quarrying is going on unabated on the foot hills of Khazan-Matti  Shumnag and other areas of Kralpora mountains triggering a major threat to the adjoining  villages.
 “Many people including some laborers and dozens of cattle have died
 during the past three years due to  shooting stones. Due to continuous extraction of stones, we are not able to venture out of our houses” said Nazir Ahmad Wani, a local.
 The aggrieved residents said the extraction of stones have become a menace for many areas including Kupwara-Chowkibal highway and the road leading to Gazryal to Zoonrishi.
 The residents said that due to stone extraction, the mountains have started disintegrating and developing large cracks. “Extraction of stones have reached to the forest area and  now laborers extract the stones form the forest fringe drastically affecting the deodar and kail trees which serve as a breeding ground for leopards and other wild animals,” the locals said demanding an immediate ban on the stone extraction in the area.
 “We will soon demarcate boundaries of forests and the matter will be taken up with Geology and Mining Department,” he added.
 Meanwhile reports said there are several illegal stone quarries operating in forest compartments of Wani Dorsa,Diver, Keegam, Andrahama, and Muqam Drugmulla
 DFO Kehmil, D.P Singh, confirmed that due to large scale stone extraction there is threat to forests in the area.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST