KNB News Desk
Budgam 18 February (KNB): Residents of Mulshula village of Beerwah tehsil in central Kashmir’s Budgam district alleged that a brick Kilns construction is taking place on an agricultural land of the area.
Several residents on the basis of anonymity said that a JCB has been doing extraction on agricultural land while the concerned authority remains unaware about it.
One of the residents said, “The construction has been going on since yesterday with the help of a JCB but we have not seen any one from the concerned authority to act against it because it is illegal.”
“It is not only a matter of legality but also the environment, agricultural activities which are going to get hampered if the brick Kiln is established,” he added.
Surrounding the spot—where brick Kilns construction is going on—paddy cultivation as well as other agricultural activities take place in the area.
Locals said that the thick smoke from brick Kilns is going to deteriorate the condition of the land around it and cause serious health issues among the residents of the village.
They said, “Our village doesn’t have a pollution issue but if this brick kiln is constructed and made functional, we are aware about the consequences which follow.”
“If the concerned authority doesn’t act against it, they would be held responsible for not only allowing the illegal construction to take place but also to put in danger the health and lives of all the residents of the village,” they said, adding that their children don’t deserve to suffer for anyone’s business, financial gains.
Pertinent to mention that Jammu and Kashmir Brick Kilns Regulation Act 2020, makes it clear that a brick kiln cannot be established on agricultural land.
Moreover, besides the permission from the concerned Deputy Commissioner, one must secure no objection certificates (NOCs) from departments such as forest, agriculture, health and education.
The residents of the area further urged the concerned authority to act immediately.
“The concerned officials must stop the work which is being initiated on the agricultural land and those involved must be held accountable for their actions,” locals requested.
They also said, “Some of us would have contacted the concerned authority but we have a family to feed hence can’t take the risk of getting involved in it.”
Talking to Kashmir News Bureau Tehsildar Beerwah Haroon Rashid said that he is not aware about any such activity taking place in the area but will ensure a team is deputed to confirm the facts.
He said, “No one from the area has informed me about the construction on any agricultural land, but just now, I’m sending a team along with the Girdwar, who will give a report to me in sometime.”
After contacting him again, Haroon told Kashmir News Bureau that the team is yet to report back but was informed that the construction was going to get started and has been put to halt.
“The team has not arrived at my office yet, but they did contact me and said that there were preparations going on for the construction,” he said, adding that the activity has been stopped.
