Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Uttarakhand HC Forms Committee on Illegal Soapstone Mining
The Uttarakhand High Court has created a special team to look into problems in Bageshwar district.
Villagers say illegal soapstone mining is causing cracks in their homes and making the land sink.
The team includes experts who will check the mines and report back to the court.
Villagers have complained that mining is damaging their homes, farms, and water supplies.
They also say that the mining is being done in ways that break the rules.
The court wants the team to finish their report quickly, in just two weeks.
Uttarakhand High Court forms committee to investigate illegal soapstone mining in Bageshwar district.
Committee includes environmentalist Dr. Ajay Rawat and scientists from NEERI and WIHG.
Villagers report cracks in houses and land subsidence due to illegal mining activities.
Mining allegedly damages agricultural land, homes, and water supply lines in the area.
Committee directed to submit a report to the court within two weeks.
- Who
- Uttarakhand High Court, Committee (Dr. Ajay Rawat, NEERI, WIHG scientists), Bageshwar villagers
- What
- Formation of a committee to investigate illegal soapstone mining and its effects
- When
- January 1, 2024 (committee formation)
- Where
- Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand, India
- Why
- To address cracks in houses and land subsidence allegedly caused by illegal mining
- Location
- Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand
- Committee Members
- Dr. Ajay Rawat, NEERI scientists, WIHG scientists
- Report Deadline
- Two weeks from formation
- Affected Areas
- Kanda tehsil and other villages
- Mining Type
- Soapstone
- Issues Reported
- Cracks in houses, land subsidence, damaged amenities
- Authorities Notified
- Uttarakhand High Court, local authorities