From fertile fields to hollow craters, farmers in Punjab’s Mukerian battle illegal mining, land erosion

Farmers in Pandori, Mehtapur, Mansoor Pur, Bishan Pur and Barota have alleged that illegal and unchecked stone mining — up to depths of 40 to 70 feet — has not only rendered around 400 acres of land barren in their area but is now threatening adjoining fields and even homes.

Baljeet Singh from Pandori village said, “The edge of my field has already eroded by 3 to 4 marla in just a year during this rainy season. My house is just 1.5 killa (acre) away from the mined site, and we are extremely worried.”

Farmers are now spending lakhs to build mud bunds and embankments to protect their lands. Karnail Singh of Barota village said, “I have spent nearly Rs 1.5 lakh just on making a ‘nakka’ (bandh) and deploying 250 to 300 tractor-trolleys of soil to reinforce the edge of my field. But erosion continues due to stagnant rain water.”

Maninder Pal Singh alias Preet Singh Pandori added that stone crushers have now started buying more agricultural land. Government teams from the Agriculture Department, Mining Department, and District Administration have now started visiting our fields. This is a clear sign that they will start mining again,” he said.

He added that some crushers have already purchased land adjoining active fields, raising fears that mining will soon start just 22 feet away from prime agricultural plots and 2-acres away from his house.

In Mukerian’s Pandori village, farmers allege that stone crusher operators who initially paid for shallow soil extraction have progressively deepened mining pits, turning fertile lands into barren craters. Many farmers, after receiving minimal compensation and finding farming unviable, sold more soil or eventually their entire land to survive. The deepening pits not only caused adjoining fields to sink but also destroyed pathways, making it difficult for others to access their farms. Locals also warn of the environmental risk posed by mining near the Hydel Canal of BBMB, saying the elevation of the canal above mined areas could cause flooding in low-lying villages if water levels rise.

Farmers who sold land for Rs 7 to 8 lakh per acre to stone crushers now regret their decision. “The land has turned barren and hollow. What was once a lush green farm is now a crater,” said Baljeet Singh.

And those who did not sell their land are now paying the proximity price. One farmer reported that his 11-killa field is now bordered by 4 killa of mined land and getting eroded bit by bit.

Farmers allege that despite a Punjab and Haryana High Court stay on mining in the region issued over a year and a half ago, it will be revived soon.

As per a letter dated July 23 from the SDM of Mukerian, referring to an earlier communication dated July 15 from the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Hoshiarpur, immediate physical verification was sought for newly proposed mining sites—including agricultural land, riverbeds, stone crusher mining areas, and land owned by private individuals.

Executive Engineer-cum-District Mining Officer, Hoshiarpur, has issued a list of 17 proposed agricultural mining sites in Talwara and Mukerian subdivisions. Again in a letter dated July 24, sarpanchs of respective villages were directed to submit reports regarding the proposed mining sites on the very same day the letter was issued.

However, residents of several villages have raised strong objections to the proposed mining activities on agricultural land — particularly at Site Nos. 12 and 15, which are allegedly linked to a local stone crusher located in Mehatpur village.

The protest letter, also sent via email to senior officials—including the Deputy Commissioner of Hoshiarpur, the Executive Engineer of the Department of Mines and Geology, the Punjab Pollution Control Board, the Forest Department, and others—listed several grounds for opposition. The residents argued that the proposed mining not only threatens the environment but also violates legal procedures.

“Punjab and Haryana High Court has already stayed mining activity at several concerned sites. Any attempt to permit mining now would amount to contempt of court. As per the Environment (Protection) Act and EIA Notification, 2006, a public hearing is mandatory before granting environmental clearance. However, no such hearing has been conducted,” said Jagdish Singh Raja, a resident of Mehatpur village and head of the “Zameen Bachao Committee,” which represents affected villages.

He added that, according to Ministry of Mines guidelines, a Draft District Survey Report (DSR) must be published for public scrutiny, but no such report has been made available so far.

He opposed converting fertile agricultural land into mining zones, citing risks of topsoil degradation leading to irreversible ecological damage. “These lands are our only source of livelihood,” the letter stated, further pointing out that the proposed mining lands have not been legally converted from agricultural to non-agricultural use—making any mining activity there illegal.

When contacted, Executive Engineer (XEN), Mines and Geology, Hoshiarpur, Raj Kumar, said that physical verification does not imply automatic approval of mining. “We will act strictly according to legal provisions, but if mining is found to be permissible under law, it will be allowed,” he said, adding that public hearings can be organised as part of the process.

Meanwhile, sources in the mining department said that in the past, cases were registered against farmers as well as those who were involved in mining on farm lands.

Why Mukerian?

Mukerian subdivision, nestled in the Shivalik foothills bordering Himachal Pradesh, was once dotted with seasonal streams, canals, and fertile farmland. In the early 2000s, a few stone crushers were set up to process material from Himachal. But by 2008-09, the sand mafia began eyeing local natural resources—first the streams and canals, and then the easily accessible farmland near crushers.

With political backing and weak enforcement, the number of crushers increased. Sarpanchs facilitated mining on panchayat lands and encouraged farmers to lease their fields for attractive returns. As crushers spread from Ropar and Pathankot into Mukerian, farmland became the primary target for raw material.

Illegal night-time mining became common, often backed by musclemen. Farmers, lured by quick profits, sometimes earned more from selling soil than from agriculture. Although environmental clearances and excavation limits are legally required, they’re rarely enforced. While FIRs have been registered by the Mining Department, most remain unresolved, allowing unchecked mining to continue.