Uttarakhand High Court Forms Committee to Address Illegal Mining Issues

The Uttarakhand High Court has taken significant steps to address the issue of illegal soapstone mining in Bageshwar district. Following multiple public interest litigations highlighting the damage to homes and local infrastructure, a committee has been formed, including experts and environmentalists. The court has mandated inspections of mining sites and requested a report within two weeks. Local residents have raised concerns about the adverse effects of mining on agriculture and basic amenities, leading to economic migration. This situation underscores the urgent need for action against illegal mining activities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 2, 2026, 12:01 IST

Formation of Committee to Investigate Illegal Mining

The Uttarakhand High Court has established a committee to investigate the illegal mining of soapstone in the Kanda tehsil of Bageshwar district, following multiple public interest litigations regarding cracks in homes caused by these activities. This includes 165 additional petitions related to mining units.

The committee comprises scientists from various institutions, including the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, along with renowned environmentalist Dr. Ajay Rawat.

The court has instructed the mining officer to inspect each mining site and has requested the committee to submit a report to the court within two weeks. The hearing was conducted by Chief Justice G. Narendra and Justice Subhash Upadhyay.

Residents of Kanda tehsil had previously written to the then Chief Justice, highlighting the damage caused by illegal mining activities. The letter indicated that these operations severely impacted agriculture, housing, water supply lines, and other essential services in the villages.

According to the letter, economically stable individuals have migrated to Haldwani and other cities, leaving behind primarily poor and vulnerable residents in the villages.

The villagers also expressed concerns that mining mafias are planning to seize their means of livelihood. They noted that numerous memorandums have been submitted to the relevant authorities, but no action has been taken.