BAGESHWAR: The approval of two large soapstone mines in Bageshwar‘s Karmi village has triggered widespread concern among residents. The mines, covering 4.5 and 15 hectares each, are set to operate within 15 km of the Himalayan range, raising fears of destabilisation and ecological damage.
“We have lived here for generations, but this mining project threatens to destroy our region. The forest, which provides water, fodder and essential resources, will be ravaged by mining activity. Our fields will be buried under debris, and our only forest will be gone. If this continues, our village will not survive,” said Bhaguli Devi, a resident.
Highlighting the proximity of the mines to the Himalayan range, Govind Danu, another villager, said, “The dust and debris from mining will not only destroy our village but also impact the glaciers and the fragile Himalayan environment.”
The apprehensions of residents stem from incidents that happened a few decades ago. Elderly villager Dan Singh Karmiyal recalled a devastating landslide 41 years ago that obliterated eight homes and claimed 36 lives, including livestock. “Many bodies were never found. Approving these mines is like inviting disaster again,” he said.
Villagers have also alleged that mining approvals were granted using fraudulent signatures on the no-objection certificate (NOC) for the project.
District mining officer Jigyasha Bisht confirmed the approval of 160 mines in the district, including those in Karmi, but maintained that the NOC was issued by residents — a claim villagers have vehemently denied.
“We never consented to this. This needs to be investigated, and the mining approvals must be revoked immediately. Why would we give our nod? Our lives and our village are too precious to risk for short-term gains,” said Narendra Danu, another resident.
TOI had reported in Sept last year that Bageshwar has 160 operational mines, including 30 new soapstone mines that were approved last year itself.
Local residents and activists have alleged that many of these sites violate mining regulations, such as use of heavy machinery, including up to six excavators per site, without formal authorisation from the mining department or local administration.
The Uttarakhand high court had taken cognisance of the issue last month and expressed serious concern over the matter, calling it “exceedingly grave.” It had also appointed two court commissioners to assess the grievances of affected villagers and directed them to submit a comprehensive report.
Bageshwar, classified as “highly disaster-prone,” is witnessing land subsidence in villages near mines. Experts flagged Kandekanyal village as particularly vulnerable, yet mining for the steatite rock — which is sold for up to Rs 7,000 per tonne — continues just a few km away.
