The valley of Kashmir is an oval-shaped basin with a small plain area of approximately 160 x 60 km. The valley has large tracts of plateaus, locally known as Karewas or Woedder. These small hillocks are an intermountain fill that comprises unconsolidated gravel and mud. Geologists say that the Karewas of Kashmir were formed during the Pleistocene period, which began about 2.6 million years ago and lasted until about 11,700 years ago. During this time, the entire valley of Kashmir was submerged under water, resembling a massive lake (Sati Sar). When the valley’s water drained out through Khadanyar (Baramulla), huge mud deposits were left behind, which solidified over time and came to be known as Karewas.
Kashmir’s Karewas are massive plateaus—dry yet highly fertile. Over the last two to three decades, these Karewas have been plundered for clay excavation, a trend that has significantly increased over the last 5 to 6 years due to rising demand for clay in highway construction. The clay from Karewas in Budgam , Pulwama, Anantnag especially Bijbehera and Pattan area in Baramulla has also been used to fill low-lying areas and wetlands, a major contributing factor to the devastating floods in Kashmir, especially in Srinagar in 2014.
Thousands of hectares of Karewa land in Pulwama, particularly in the Parigam to Newa villages and the Chadoora area, including Kuzwera, Kultreh, Nagam, and Hayathpora villages, have been plundered by an organized mafia under the guise of development. Unfortunately, officers from the Revenue Department, including Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and Tehsildars, have facilitated this loot by granting so-called Disposal Permits. These permits have also been misused to exploit Kashmir’s rivers and streams.
Despite several laws protecting rivers and streams, there is no legislation safeguarding Karewas. The Revenue & Geology & Mining Departments continue issuing permissions to destroy these unique landforms.
Private Member’s Bill
To protect and preserve Karewas, Dr. Syed Bashir Veeri, MLA from Bijbehara, has introduced a Private Member’s Bill, an appreciable initiative aimed at regulating and curbing the destruction of Karewas due to the excavation of clay, sand, gravel, and other materials.
Preamble of the Bill (2025)
I reviewed the draft Karewa Bill a few weeks ago and shared some suggestions with Hon’ble MLA Dr. Veeri. However, due to time constraints, I couldn’t consult more experts. Still, I find the bill commendable, and if passed into law, it will be immensely beneficial.
The preamble of the draft bill states:
“Whereas to regulate the excavation of clay, sand, gravel, and other construction materials from Karewas—unique plateau-like geological formations with a history dating back more than 1 million years. Karewas are geological and archaeological treasures, an unnoticed heritage of Kashmir Valley.”
“Whereas Karewas hold great importance for agriculture and horticulture, particularly for saffron, almond, and apple cultivation. These landforms also play a crucial role in environmental conservation, with Karewa plantations serving as biodiversity hubs, often referred to as deemed forests.”
“And whereas it is necessary to regulate mining activities in Karewas, especially clay, sand, and gravel excavation, to enforce strict penalties for violations and ensure sustainable land management.”
Highlights of the Karewa Bill
The bill’s primary goal is to regulate mining in Karewas and protect local biodiversity and the environment. It strictly prohibits the excavation of clay and other materials like bajri and gravel from designated Karewa regions.
The bill states:
*”Mining shall be strictly prohibited in Karewa stretches designated as ecological, geological, and archaeological sensitive zones due to their 1-million-year-old history. Mining in Karewas shall only be permitted in designated areas that have already faced destruction, subject to approval from the *J&K State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (JKSEIAA).”
Mining in Karewa lands containing fruit trees, saffron fields, vegetable crops, or non-fruit-bearing trees shall be prohibited. All mining activities will require prior approval from the Karewa Protection Authority (KPA) and JKSEIAA, in consultation with the J&K Pollution Control Committee, Department of Geology & Mining, and Agriculture & Horticulture Departments.
A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be mandatory before granting mining leases. Sustainable mining practices, including controlled extraction and periodic ecological assessments, will be enforced.
Penalties for Violations
The Private Member’s Bill on Karewa Protection proposes strict action against illegal mining, including imprisonment of up to 5 years and a penalty of ₹10 lakh. Even government officers involved in unauthorized mining will face consequences.
“Any person or entity found guilty of illegal mining in Karewas shall be subject to a fine of up to ₹10 lakh per violation and up to 5 years of imprisonment for repeated offenses. Equipment and vehicles used for illegal mining shall be seized and confiscated. Government officials complicit in Karewa mining shall face suspension, dismissal, and prosecution under anti-corruption laws.”
Construction Permission
The bill states that no individual or entity shall undertake excavation, cutting, or degradation of Karewas without prior approval from the competent authority (SEIAA).
Karewas identified as highly sensitive agricultural and horticultural zones shall be completely protected from excavation and construction. Before any construction on Karewa land, prior permission from the Village Halqa Majlis (Gram Sabha) will be mandatory.
Sustainable Land Use Policy
The Private Member’s Bill advocates for a Sustainable Land Use Policy, requiring the government to formulate a Karewa Conservation and Sustainable Development Plan with the following objectives:
(a) Afforestation and soil conservation measures
(b) Promotion of horticulture and water conservation initiatives
(c) Strict regulations to prevent commercial destruction
(d) Providing subsidies for the installation of solar pumps for irrigation
(e) Developing Karewas as tourism hubs due to their geological and archaeological significance
Karewa Protection Authority (KPA)
The draft Karewa Protection Bill (2025) proposes the establishment of a Karewa Protection Authority (KPA) under the Department of Environment, Ecology & Forests. The KPA will consist of:
- Experts in hydrology, ecology, and environmental law
- Representatives from rural & urban local bodies, NGOs, and environmental conservation groups
- Government officials from relevant departments
The KPA will have the authority to inspect mining sites, revoke mining licenses for violations, and recommend policy changes to strengthen conservation efforts.
Whistleblowing Encouraged
Under the J&K Karewa Protection Bill (2025), citizens will be encouraged to report illegal mining activities via a dedicated helpline and online portal. Public-spirited citizens and whistleblowers will be protected and rewarded for credible information leading to legal action.
Conclusion
The protection of Karewas is crucial for our sustenance, as Kashmir’s landmass is shrinking due to rapid urbanization. The excavated Karewa sites in Budgam and Pulwama now resemble the ravines of Chambal, contributing to severe dust pollution. Cases have been filed in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against some construction companies for environmental violations.
The J&K Government must accept this Private Member’s Bill and enact it into law immediately to protect Kashmir’s geological, agricultural, and environmental heritage.
- Views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer
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