In a significant step toward disaster mitigation and flood prevention, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Kullu has constituted a district-level committee to monitor dredging and mining activities in riverbeds across the district.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Anurag Chandra Sharma on Wednesday. The initiative aims to reduce flood risks by scientifically managing river dredging operations and ensuring proper monitoring of mining activities.
The Deputy Commissioner informed that the committee will identify dredging-suitable areas, prepare revenue documentation, verify geographical coordinates, and ensure a replenishment study through the Forest Department to determine the quantity of material that can be safely extracted.
He further directed that the Industries Department will approve mining plans up to a depth of three meters, while the Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation will prepare tender documents, fix the base price, and initiate the auction process.
Officials clarified that the depth of dredging will be decided strictly based on site-specific requirements and recommendations derived from scientific studies to maintain ecological balance and minimize disaster risks.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, SDM Nishant Thakur, DFO Angel Thakur, Forest Corporation DM Banish Thakur, Mining Department official Mahendra Thakur, along with other concerned officers.
The administration emphasized that regulated dredging and scientific monitoring will play a crucial role in disaster preparedness and sustainable river management in the district.
