The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday directed the state government to ensure that all vehicles involved in soapstone (locally known as khaira) mining are equipped with GPS devices and integrated with the Ramanna Portal to facilitate real-time data tracking. The order came amid serious allegations of environmental degradation and irregularities in mineral transport in Bageshwar district.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G. Narendra and Justice Subhash Upadhyay was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) highlighting the structural damage and livelihood loss caused by rampant soapstone mining in several villages of Kanda tehsil.
The PIL was triggered by a letter written to the Chief Justice by local residents of Kanda, who alleged that unregulated and illegal mining activity had destroyed their farmland, damaged water pipelines, and caused cracks in houses. They claimed that only the poor now remain in the villages, while wealthier families have been forced to relocate to places like Haldwani due to worsening living conditions.
According to the residents, multiple representations had earlier been submitted to government officials seeking redress, but no concrete action was taken, prompting the intervention of the High Court.
During the hearing, the court reviewed a report submitted by the Bageshwar District Mining Officer, which revealed glaring discrepancies in the data related to mineral transport. The report noted instances where vehicles reportedly took 12 to 18 hours to cover a mere 55 kilometres — a duration the court termed as implausible and indicative of irregularities.
The Bench observed that real-time GPS monitoring and integration with the Ramanna Portal would help curb such manipulation and enable better enforcement of mining regulations.
In its interim directions, the High Court instructed the state government to ensure that the GPS tracking system is implemented within a week and that strict compliance is maintained. The matter has been posted for further hearing on the next day.
The case underscores the growing environmental and social fallout of unchecked mining in Uttarakhand’s ecologically fragile regions, especially in areas like Bageshwar, where infrastructure and enforcement mechanisms remain weak.
