Unchecked illegal mining thrives in Chakki rivulet due to jurisdictional ambiguity
For years, the Chakki rivulet flowing along the Himachal Pradesh-Punjab border has remained trapped in a jurisdictional grey zone. The failure to clearly demarcate interstate boundaries in the riverbed has not only created administrative confusion but has also opened the door for rampant illegal mining, allowing operators from both states to exploit the ambiguity with little fear of accountability.
Mining hotspots and river course changes
The problem is particularly acute in the Kandwal, Lodhwan and Tipri belts of Nurpur in Kangra district, where the river frequently changes its course. As the channel shifts, determining which state exercises regulatory control over specific stretches of the riverbed becomes increasingly difficult. Mining operators have allegedly used this uncertainty to continue extracting sand, gravel and other minerals in violation of mining norms.
Heavy machinery and environmental degradation
What was once a seasonal river system has gradually turned into a lucrative source of revenue for mining interests. Heavy machinery has been deployed extensively for mineral extraction. Environmental experts allege that unscientific mining practices have drastically lowered the riverbed, leaving behind deep trenches and altering the river’s natural flow.
Bridge collapse highlights risks
The environmental consequences have been severe. Illegal extraction is widely believed to have contributed to the sudden collapse of the colonial-era interstate Chakki railway bridge at Kandwal in August 2022. The incident highlighted the growing risks posed by unchecked mining activity and renewed concerns about the absence of effective regulation in the region.
Revenue losses and ecological impact
Investigations by The Tribune reveal that the issue extends beyond environmental damage. Illegal mining has reportedly caused substantial revenue losses to the state exchequer through tax evasion while simultaneously degrading agricultural land, groundwater resources and fragile river ecosystems.
Demarcation efforts stall since 2015
Efforts to resolve the boundary dispute have repeatedly stalled. In 2015, the Kangra administration initiated a joint demarcation exercise with authorities in Pathankot district to identify the exact limits of the rivulet from Bhadroya to Mamoon. However, the exercise remained incomplete because of a lack of coordination between the revenue departments of the two states, leaving the dispute unresolved.
Demands for investigation and stronger enforcement
Environmentalist MR Sharma and local residents have demanded immediate demarcation of the river boundaries and a high-level investigation into illegal extraction. Despite the establishment of a Mining Officer’s office at Nurpur in 2016, many believe enforcement has remained weak, allowing the Chakki’s ecological crisis to deepen year after year.
