Srinagar: In a significant move aimed at addressing unemployment and curbing illegal mining activities, the government has initiated customary sand mining and announced the provision of short-term permits to local residents.
This initiative is expected to offer economic opportunities to unemployed youth while ensuring sustainable and regulated mining practices.
An official told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the initiative seeks to create a balance between providing livelihoods to locals and safeguarding natural resources. “By granting short permits, the government aims to empower people to benefit from local resources while simultaneously addressing the issue of unregulated and unauthorized mining that has plagued the sector.”
The government is also reportedly putting measures in place to monitor the operations, ensuring that mining activities are conducted within the legal framework and do not lead to environmental degradation.
As the permits are rolled out, officials urged interested people to adhere to the guidelines and contribute to the success of the initiative. [KNT]
