JOIN USDespite several complaints, unabated sand mining in Hulgihalla, Baluru hobli in Mudigere, has not been controlled by the competent authority and the officials have turned a blind eye, giving room for suspicion.
The Hulgi river, a tributary of River Bhadra, has its origin in Hullamane Kundur village and joins Bhadra near Magundi. Hulgihalla flows in Baluru, Balehonnur and Hosampur. Near Hosampur village, sand is being illegally extracted and transported in tractors, tippers and pick-up vehicles in the broad day light.
The people carrying out illegal mining have dug trenches across the river basin stretching across two km. Local people collect sand in tractors while sand being transported to outer places is being collected through JCB machines.
But the taluk administration has turned a blind eye, the villagers said.
Police informed
The people in the locality have informed the police through phone, regarding the illegal sand mining. Recently, the mining was done in large scale and were transported to Balehonnur and Mudigere in tractors.
This was a violation of the rules as sand transportation is banned during rainy season.
Balehonnur police arrived at the spot and seized a tractor.
Even though many complaints have been submitted to the tahsildar, he has not visited the spot even once.
The people have urged the district administration to initiate stern action against the illegal sand mining. If the mining continues, the river may go dry in future, they said.