Mrudul Godbole
10-11-2012, 12:49 PM
Illegal mining rampant in Western Ghats
TNN | Nov 10, 2012, 05.30AM IST
KARWAR: Illegal quarrying and mining are rampant in the Western Ghats. This despite the government's claims that steps have been taken to check mining.
Berde village in Ankola taluk is one such place where illegal quarrying is rampant just 50 meters away from the bunkers and the tunnel built by the Indian Navy. Explosives are used to blast the boulders with scant respect to the law, according to the villagers.
Villagers allege that some senior officials of the forest department are hand in glove with these illegal quarry owners. "That is why the lower level staff of the department is scared to enter the village," said Ramakrishna Nayak, who is protesting against the encroachment of the forest land by these quarry owners. He alleged that despite repeated letters, the forest officials have been silent.
He said the quarrying is rampant on agricultural and forest lands. An illegal road was constructed in the forest without permission, he alleged.
GG Hegde, deputy director of mines and geology department, said that the illegal quarrying in Berde village has not come to the notice of the department. He said nobody has been given permission for quarrying in the area and that officials would check and file cases against the guilty.
MD Todurkar, assistant conservator of forest, Ankola, admitted there was illegal quarrying in the area and that FIR was filed against those responsible for it. "If quarrying persists then the action would be taken," he said. He said that it was the responsibility of mines and geology department to take action against those involved in it.
Evironmental lovers and villagers have urged the police to stop the blasting immediately in this western ghat area and book the illegal quarry owners under the Explosives Act.
TNN | Nov 10, 2012, 05.30AM IST
KARWAR: Illegal quarrying and mining are rampant in the Western Ghats. This despite the government's claims that steps have been taken to check mining.
Berde village in Ankola taluk is one such place where illegal quarrying is rampant just 50 meters away from the bunkers and the tunnel built by the Indian Navy. Explosives are used to blast the boulders with scant respect to the law, according to the villagers.
Villagers allege that some senior officials of the forest department are hand in glove with these illegal quarry owners. "That is why the lower level staff of the department is scared to enter the village," said Ramakrishna Nayak, who is protesting against the encroachment of the forest land by these quarry owners. He alleged that despite repeated letters, the forest officials have been silent.
He said the quarrying is rampant on agricultural and forest lands. An illegal road was constructed in the forest without permission, he alleged.
GG Hegde, deputy director of mines and geology department, said that the illegal quarrying in Berde village has not come to the notice of the department. He said nobody has been given permission for quarrying in the area and that officials would check and file cases against the guilty.
MD Todurkar, assistant conservator of forest, Ankola, admitted there was illegal quarrying in the area and that FIR was filed against those responsible for it. "If quarrying persists then the action would be taken," he said. He said that it was the responsibility of mines and geology department to take action against those involved in it.
Evironmental lovers and villagers have urged the police to stop the blasting immediately in this western ghat area and book the illegal quarry owners under the Explosives Act.