PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Ramnagar
The Tarai West Forest Division claimed to have recorded a substantial increase in mining revenue this year, owing to strict monitoring and effective enforcement against illegal mining activities. Informing this, the divisional forest officer, (DFO), P C Arya stated that mining exit gates operating on the Kosi and Dabka rivers had generated approximately Rs 9.79 crore as revenue during the 2025–26 mining season, more than double the revenue earned in the previous year.
The Forest department further stated that extraction of minor minerals had been carried out by the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation from October 2025 to June 19, 2026, through five mining exit gates on the Kosi river and one gate on the Dabka river. “Continuous monitoring followed by operations by the department ensured higher revenue collection.
During the mining season, the department implemented regular patrolling, surprise inspections, night checking, verification of records and enhanced surveillance in sensitive areas. Forest officials conducted frequent inspections of mining sites to ensure that transportation of minor minerals was carried out only with valid permits and within the approved limits.
The department also carried out sustained enforcement drives against illegal mining, unauthorised transportation and activities beyond designated mining zones. Several vehicles involved in violations were seized and legal action was initiated against offenders in accordance with regulations. Officials further said these measures helped prevent revenue losses and strengthened compliance.
Department figures reveal that during 2024–25, a total of 5.05 lakh cubic metres of minor minerals had been extracted from the Kosi and Dabka rivers, generating revenue of Rs 4.54 crore. In contrast, the 2025–26 season witnessed extraction of 10.87 lakh cubic metres of minor minerals, resulting in revenue to the tune of Rs 9.79 crore.
