Budnambal Residents Protest Against Sand Extraction, Residents of Budnambal in the Eidgah Assembly segment of Srinagar staged a strong protest against the extraction of sand from thousands of kanals of land traditionally used for cattle grazing and agriculture. Wildlife Department, has long served as a vital livelihood source for the community. They said that the Forest Department recently invited tenders for sand extraction, following which contractors began excavation work. However, the locals immediately stopped the activity, fearing severe environmental and livelihood repercussions. The residents expressed concern that continued sand extraction would render the fertile land barren, make it unfit for grazing, and increase the risk of floods. They said the area also provides a means of livelihood for educated unemployed youth and warned that unchecked sand lifting would eventually turn the region into a desert. people's genuine concerns and immediately order a halt to sand extraction in Budnambal.