Resources looted in the name of quarrying in Somwarpet

Illegal quarrying, being carried out unabated in many places of the taluk, is causing harm to the environment.

Quarrying is being carried out at two mines at Hosalli, six mines at Yadavanadu and two mines at Siddalingapura, which are licensed quarries. But, the mining is also being illegally carried out in 16 places at Gondibasavanahalli.

The incident came to light when a women fell into a 40-foot deep ditch and died, after suffering a shock due to the high intensity of explosion during the process of mining.

Two years ago, illegal mining was being carried out using large quantities of explosives, at night. After the villagers and environmentalists filed a complaint, the use of explosives stopped during the nights but is being carried out during daytime.

Walls of the houses in Yalakanuru have developed cracks as explosives more than the required quantity are being used.

Hillocks in several villages in the region have been levelled after mining activities have intensified. Deep trenches are found in most of these places.

“Also, valuable trees in the forest area are being illegally felled, on the pretext of mining. Even though complaints have been submitted to the authorities, following the harm caused to agricultural lands, the mining has not stopped,” said Kumar, a villager.

Dr M J Mahesh, District Mines and Geology Department scientist, said that, complaints have been submitted by 16 farmers in connection with illegal quarrying being carried out at their agricultural lands in Gondibasavanahalli in Somwarpet taluk. Most of the quarries have now been closed. If complaints are received further, immediate action will be initiated, he added.