Soil mafia responsible for excavating soil from Karewas of Budgam especially in Dardpora , Choon, Mamat, Jehama and others and adjoining localities of Budgam . There are many reports on the illegal sand and soil extraction from the district Budgam. Pertinently Karewas of central Kashmir's Budgam district which locally called "Wudder" are under continuous threat of extinction as the soil excavation work on these is not coming to halt since last more than a decade now. An estimated 30 to 40% of the Karewas in Budgam , Khansahib and Chadoora tehsils alone have been raised to ground after continuous plunder by huge bull dozers , JCB's and other heavy duty earth excavators. The soil excavation work on Budgam Karewa's began around 1995 after the work on Qazigund -Baramulla rail project began. Hundreds of trucks , tippers were pressed into work by the various construction firms who undertook various works for Railways which was executed by IRCON a mega construction firm. The soil was used for making elevated railway track and 90% of the soil which was used for such works was excavated from Karewas of Budgam , Pulwama and Baramulla districts. The Revenue department authorities are mute spectators in this whole game the locals allege. The whole area has become so much polluted that it is very difficult to walk on the roads as there is lot of dust everywhere due to movement of tippers carrying excavated soil. The cases of bronchial asthama and other respiratory tract diseases has increased to a great extent in the areas bordering Chadoora and Pulwama areas Ishtiaq added. The crops, fruits orchards of the whole of the area has been degraded by the dust emanating from the site as well as of the soil dropped from the thousands of tippers plying in the area. Illegal extraction of soil from the district has been reported a number of times. But due to the lack of awareness of resources – the unabated loot of materials like sand goes unchecked. Unfortunately, the enforcement agencies, which in this case happen to be the two departments as well as the administration, seem to have given a free-hand to the lifters who are making easy money all through the year. It is a multifaceted problem that has an impact on not only the exchequer but also the environment.