Haridwar: The sacred city where millions flock to cleanse their souls in the holy waters of the Ganga, is under siege.
Illegal mining along the revered river’s banks is destroying not only the river’s ecosystem but also the faith of the people who look up to it for salvation.
The sand and stone mafia, operating with shocking impunity, are ripping apart the Ganga’s riverbed, and what’s worse – authorities are just standing by, watching.
The Ganga, already fighting for survival due to pollution and neglect, is now a goldmine for those mining sand and stones to feed the construction industry. Unregulated and unchecked, this loot is going on right under the noses of officials.
The riverbanks are eroding, habitats are being wiped out, and the river is choking. And yet, the mining mafia continues to profit, while the holy river suffers.
Animals—horses, donkeys, and mules—are being dragged into this illegal racket too.
These emaciated creatures are forced to carry heavy loads of sand and stone on crude carts, wearing them down physically and mentally.
This cruel practice, combined with the destruction of local infrastructure, is not just ruining the roads but is an assault on the very sanctity of Haridwar, one of Hinduism’s holiest sites.
The real question here is: where is the Uttarakhand mining and industry department? Where is the district administration?
These are the bodies responsible for stopping this environmental carnage, but their silence is deafening.
Every truckload of sand and stone that’s illegally mined is a direct result of the failure of these departments.
Instead of cracking down on these mafia networks, they’ve let this plunder continue unchecked.
People are now questioning whether there’s political backing or money exchanging hands to allow this daylight robbery.
Major General Atul Kaushik, SM, VSM (Retd), CEO of Pahari Samaj Paryavani Kawach and the Atulniya Shiv Shagun Welfare Foundation, has been vocal about this environmental crime.
“The Ganga isn’t just a river, it’s our spiritual mother. But look at what’s happening. The mining mafia is destroying it, and the authorities aren’t lifting a finger. It’s time they’re held accountable.”
It’s high time that the Uttarakhand government and district authorities stop looking the other way.
The people of Haridwar deserve better. The Ganga, the lifeline of millions, deserves better.
If immediate action isn’t taken, both the river and the future of the city will be at serious risk.
