In Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar district, extensive mining activities are leading to a crisis similar to the Joshimath, with significant damage reported in the Kanda area.
Residents are facing severe structural issues in their homes, temples, fields, and roads due to the mining.
Locals allege that their pleas for help are being ignored by the government.
According to a report in TOI, severe land subsidence has put over 200 homes in Bageshwar district, Kumaon, at risk, with extensive damage observed in roads, fields, and houses. The crisis has been exacerbated by heavy rains and widespread mining activities in the region. The Uttarakhand Disaster Management Authority (UDMA) has flagged 11 villages across the district as vulnerable, with 450 homes identified as at risk.
Among these, 131 families in villages such as Kuwari and Seri are particularly impacted by landslides. Additionally, villages near soapstone mines, including Kandekanyal and Papon, are experiencing significant subsidence. The Kanda and Reema valleys have suffered the most, with alarming sinkage affecting homes, fields, and roads. In Kandekanyal village, approximately 40 of 70 houses have been damaged, forcing many villagers to abandon their homes due to safety concerns.
1,000-year-old temple under threat
As per India Today report, the situation is bad for a 1,000-year-old Kalika temple, which is at risk due to nearby mining activities. Cracks have appeared in the temple grounds, with locals attributing the damage to a chalk mine located just 50 meters away.
Raghuvir Singh Majila, president of the temple committee and an army veteran, said that the temple has been central to both worship and the local economy for centuries. “This temple has been a key religious site for the entire locality, with the economy revolving around it and its visitors,” Majila said.
Local businesses, including eateries and shops catering to temple visitors, are now at risk due to the temple’s deteriorating condition.
“In this sparsely populated area, the main sources of income are farming and religious tourism. Both are now jeopardised due to the rampant mining,” said Suresh Singh Majila, a veteran and local activist.
He further said that they have received no assurance from the government regarding the construction of a retaining wall to secure the houses and temple uphill.
Soapstone mining
As per TOI, Bageshwar district is known for its rich deposits of highly valued soapstone, driving extensive mining activities in the region. With over 130 active soapstone mines, primarily in the Kanda valley, the area has become a significant source of this metamorphic rock, which can fetch up to Rs 7,000 per ton.
Soapstone is utilised in various industries, including paper, paint, and cosmetics.
However, locals assert that the relentless mining has destabilised the land, causing entire villages to sink.
The district’s susceptibility to disasters, particularly during the monsoon season, has long been a concern. Historical incidents include a deadly landslide in Bhayal Tok in 1983, which claimed 37 lives, and another tragic landslide in Sumgarh in 2010, resulting in the deaths of 18 schoolchildren.
Demand for relocation
Many residents are now calling for relocation due to the severe impact of mining. Hemchandra Kandpal’s family is among those hardest hit, with their home suffering catastrophic damage. Kandpal attributes the destruction to the mining beneath the hill. “These cracks cannot be fixed; the only option left is to dismantle and rebuild the house. The government must provide us land to relocate,” Kandpal told India Today.
Administration’s response
When approached about the ongoing issues and complaints, local SDM Anurag Arya stated, “There had been complaints about cracks earlier, but nothing concerning was found. If there are more complaints, we will look into it.”
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Joshimath redux? Subsidence in Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar puts 200 homes at risk
