Gurez (Bandipora), Sep 16: The inhabitants of Gurez in Bandipora district have castigated the authorities for allowing the establishment of stone crushers and hot mix plants in the forest areas.
According to the locals, these stone crushers and hot mix plants belong to some influential persons. “The ash and dust emanating from the stone crushers and hot mix plants have adversely affected the flora and fauna in the area,” the locals said. “These plants setup at Badwan and Khandayal is posing a grave threat to the environment and health of people residing in the surrounding villages,” the locals added.
Locals alleged that the concerned Pollution Control Board department issued No Objection Certificate (NOC) for establishing these projects in gross violation of rules and regulations. “The other departments including Fisheries and Industries have also issued NoC in favour of setting up of these plants in the fragile forest areas,” the locals alleged.
“The hot mix plant is functioning under the patronage of a local politician,” the locals alleged.
Besides, a big crusher has also been established by the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) near the River Kishen Ganga (Neelam River), the locals added.
“The ash emanating from the stone crushers and hot mix plants spreads to the villages damaging agricultural land and also causing several health problems to the humans,” the locals told Greater Kashmir, adding the ash coming out from the crushers was also polluting the water bodies and nearby streams.
“The residents of villages situated near these plants have started complaining about the disease related to chest, throat, skin, nasal and eye,” the locals revealed, adding that the pollution is also affecting the wildlife in the area.
According to the residents, they apprised the senior functionaries in the district administration about the problems faced by the people due to the pollution by these projects. “We even submitted several representations with the officials seeking closure of these plants, but our repeated pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” the residents told Greater Kashmir.
The inhabitants of the area sought the intervention of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir in this regard.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 16 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 16 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST