Post News Network
Joda, Jan 30: In a major breakthrough, a state-level enforcement squad, that has been visiting various parts of Joda mining circle since January 28, has reportedly detected 95 illegal mines.
Reliable sources said the nine-member squad has visited Dalpahad and Tiringpahad under Champua range, Chormalda, Thakurani, Kolhoroida, Siddhamatha, Barabanaka, Lotapani, Balagoda, Lasarda, Dumirta, Tankura, Murga, Deojhar and Katasahi under Barbil range, where such illegal quarries were found. Most of these areas belong to reserve forests or revenue forest areas. However, SK Rath, head of the squad, refused to reveal anything about such illegal mineral pits.
Notably, April 28, 2013, about 34 unauthorised mines had been found in village forests, revenue forests, reserve forests and also in areas beyond lease plots under Champua and Barbil range. MR Mishra, deputy director of mines department, who was conducting a probe into illegal mining, had confirmed such illegal mining at 34 places, particularly in forest areas and outside the lease areas.
