The Riyali gram panchayat in the Mand area of Fatehpur development block in Kangra district has taken a firm stand against the proposed establishment of new stone crushers and the grant of fresh mining leases in the region.
The panchayat passed a formal resolution opposing the move on Thursday and submitted a copy to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Fatehpur. The decision comes after growing concerns among local residents about the impact of mining activities on their daily lives and the surrounding environment.
Why Riyali Panchayat Rejects New Stone Crushers and Mining Leases
The opposition is rooted in several serious concerns raised by the local community. According to the resolution, residents fear that new stone crushers and mining operations would lead to heavy vehicular traffic in the area, creating significant road safety risks for villagers.
Pollution is another major worry. The panchayat believes that increased mining activity would degrade air and water quality in the region. Most importantly, the resolution highlights the threat to the ecological balance of the Beas river, which flows through the area and is vital to the local ecosystem and livelihoods.
Protest at Panchayat Bhawan Before Resolution
Before the resolution was formally adopted, panchayat representatives and members of the Mand Environment Protection Samiti staged a protest at the panchayat bhawan. The demonstration showed the strength of local feeling against the proposed mining expansion.
Panchayat pradhan Ramesh Chand and samiti secretary Kuldeep Singh have been vocal about the community's position. They said a joint inspection team led by the Fatehpur SDM, comprising officials of the Mining Department, Forest Department, and other relevant authorities, has been involved in examining the situation.
"The panchayat has clearly opposed the move, citing concerns over heavy vehicular traffic, road safety, pollution and the ecological balance of the Beas." — Panchayat pradhan Ramesh Chand and samiti secretary Kuldeep Singh
What This Means for Mining Regulation in Kangra
This resolution represents a direct challenge to proposed industrial activity in the region. The submission of the resolution to the SDM Fatehpur signals that the panchayat is seeking official intervention to stop or review the mining lease proposals.
The involvement of the Mand Environment Protection Samiti indicates that this is not just an official panchayat decision but a broader community movement. The joint inspection team's work will likely play a key role in determining whether the proposed stone crushers and mining leases move forward.
Our Take: Local Voices Matter in Environmental Decisions
To put it plainly, this is a classic case of a community standing up for its environment and safety. The residents of Riyali are not opposing development for the sake of it — they are raising legitimate concerns about traffic accidents, pollution, and the health of the Beas river.
In our view, the authorities should take this resolution seriously. When a panchayat unanimously opposes a project and stages protests, it reflects genuine ground-level anxiety. The ecological balance of a river like the Beas cannot be sacrificed for short-term economic gains from mining.
The ball is now in the court of the SDM and the inspection team. Their findings will determine whether the concerns of the Riyali panchayat are addressed or ignored. For now, the message from the community is clear: they will not quietly accept new stone crushers and mining leases that threaten their roads, their air, and their river.