Quarrying in hill wrecks havoc

 Stone quarrying has wrecked havoc in Doddayyur of Vakkaleri hobli in the taluk.
While houses have developed cracks due to the explosions that rock the area every now and then, cattle are being inflicted with lesions. There is every likelihood of sericulture in the area taking a bit on account of the quarrying.

Huge boulders are being blasted using explosives at Anjanadri Hill, which stands as a guarding wall to Doddayyuru with a population of 432 people in 93 houses. People just rush out of their houses following a siren which signals explosion. In fact, villagers too are in the dark as to the persons carrying out quarrying.

Dharna staged
The villagers staged a dharna in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner in last December seeking action against the persons carrying out quarrying. They later submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner on February 23 and an assurance of action was also given. However, the explosion on the next day night took them by surprise. Their questioning met with abusive replies. The residents poured out their woes with Deccan Herald on Friday. Lanco company has been carrying quarrying in the land bearing survey number 76 for the past three years. There was opposition to the activity. However, the ‘dissenting voices’ were quelled with divide-and-rule policy. And now, quarrying is exceeding the limits, villagers say.

The huge explosions have damaged granaries and extinction of rare bird species. The water in the tank constructed about nine years ago is facing the threat of contamination.
Villagers Gudiyappa, Bhuvanesha, Gopalakrishna and members of Stree Shakti Sangha apprehended that Raja Kaluve which carry water to the tank would be blocked if quarrying is allowed to continue unabated. With that there will be no water in the tank constructed over the lands of the villagers. With the disappearance of the lone source of water, the quarrying will affect the life in the village.

The officers of Mines and Geology Department and Assistant Commissioner, who visited the spot have decided not to allow quarrying in the hill. The matter has been brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner. However, the quarrying is continuing with the persons involved taking the name of the DC and the local legislator, the villagers said.
However, sources at the Deputy Commissioner’s office said that people of Guddanapura, close to survey number 76 where Lanco is carrying out quarrying have not submitted any objection.

Anajanadri temple, the spot in question is away from Doddayyuru. Hence the possibility of grant of permission to carry on quarrying cannot be ruled out, sources said.

Clash
Meanwhile, a clash ensued between villagers and persons carrying on quarrying on Anjanadri hills, on Saturday. People who arrived in two lorries and a tractor were making preparations to blast rocks. Upon getting information, the villagers rushed to spot.
Tensions ran high and intervention of the police brought things to order. The personnel upon questioning whether permission has been obtained for quarrying replied that the Deputy Commissioner  has granted permission on February 2.
However, all of them left the place on the direction of the police, according to villagers.
DH News Service