Upalokayukta B. Veerappa viseted laterite stone quarrying units in Badaga Mijar in Moodabidri taluk of Dakshina Kannada district on December 3, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Raghava M
Expressing concern over unfettered laterite stone quarrying in Badaga Mijar and surrounding areas of Moodabidri, Upalokayukta B. Veerappa sought detailed report from the Department of Mines and Geology about the extent of quarrying, it’s impact and action that is taken.
Following complaints by locals, Mr. Veerappa took a team of officials, including Additional Registrar K. M. Rajashekar, Deputy Registrars K.M. Basavarajappa and N.M Aravind, and Superintendent of Police (Lokayukta) M.A. Nataraj, for a surprise visit to quarrying areas in Badaga Mijar area on December 3.
As soon as the team arrived at a quarry run by a person named Mohammed, the workers removing laterite stones using earth movers stopped the work and hid in their sheds nearby. The village accountant (VA) said the land is private one, while Mines and Geology officer Satyabhama said no permission has been taken for extraction of stones.
Dismayed with the response of the official, the Upalokayukta said, “You seem to be least concerned of the potential ecological hazard of illegal extraction of laterite stones. This has the potential to cause landslides. Water filled quarries pose a great risk to lives of children and other residents.”
Mr. Veerappa told the officer from the Mines and Geology Department, “If this is not stopped at the earliest, the situation will be similar to mining areas in Ballari. A suo motu case will be registered. I want a detailed report from you.”
Additional Deputy Commissioner G. Santosh Kumar asked the local Moodabidri police to check the records of the land owner. “If the quarry is found to be operating illegally, register an FIR and seize all the machinery,” he said.
Earlier, the Upalokayukta visited a patta land (government land given for agriculture use) in the same area where quarrying was stopped six months ago. The deep quarry had been abandoned and a part of the quarry was filled with rain water.
Mangaluru Assistant Commissioner J. Harshavardhan said there is a general trend among land owners to take permission of Mines and Geology Department for levelling of barren land for agriculture, and then do quarrying.
Ms. Satyabhama said a private complaint was registered following illegality, and action was taken to close the quarry. The person who carried out quarrying has failed to fill up the quarry, following stoppage, she stated.
Mr. Veerappa said illegal stone quarrying has gone beyond limits and the dstrict administration has failed to take effective action. Expressing the need of sustainable development, he directed the District Task Force to take action and stop unfettered illegal laterite quarrying.
Published – December 03, 2024 01:33 pm IST
