Jaipur: Illegal mining is declining, according to the state govt’s records. But experts cautioned that the drop in cases may not reflect the true extent of the problem on the ground.According to mines department’s data, the number of cases registered for illegal mining dropped from 10,169 in 2019–20 to 4,559 in 2024–25, with 677 cases reported so far in the current financial year up to May 1, 2025.FIRs also declined during the same period—from 808 in 2019–20 to 542 in 2024–25, with 129 FIRs registered in the current fiscal year so far.However, experts and locals argue that the fall in registered cases could be due to underreporting or a decline in enforcement intensity.The number of machines confiscated in illegal mining operations—often considered a more direct measure of field-level activity—also reduced, from 10,331 in 2019–20 to 4,515 in 2024–25. Yet, 626 machines have been seized in just the first month of 2025–26, suggesting that illegal operations are continuing despite fewer recorded cases.Arrest figures tell a similar story. While there were 546 arrests in 2019–20, the number dropped to 267 in both 2023–24 and 2024–25. This year, 65 arrests have already been made, again pointing to ongoing enforcement action despite the appearance of an overall decline. Financial penalties imposed for illegal mining fell drastically—from Rs 66.58 crore in 2019–20 to Rs 27.95 crore in 2024–25, with only Rs 2.7 crore collected so far this year.Experts view this trend as worrying, as penalties are both a punitive and deterrent tool in curbing illegal extraction. “Either the illegal operations are being underreported, or enforcement agencies are not pursuing them with the same intensity. The data shows fewer cases, but the activity on the ground does not seem to have reduced proportionately,” said Pradeep Singh, a mining expert. Villagers from mining-affected areas echo this concern.Triyambak Singh, a resident of Banthali village in Tonk district, said, “Illegal extraction of minerals like bajri is continuing openly. The auctions for plots are still underway, but over 500 trucks take sand from the riverbed every day.”
Illegal mining thrives despite fall in registered cases: Experts | Jaipur News
