Keonjhar: Illegal stone mining is reportedly rampant in Keonjhar forest range and Gopalpur range. While such illegal activity continues to ruin forests and pose a serious threat to wildlife, the government is losing revenue to the tune of crores of rupees.
Locals and local environmentalists have expressed grave concern over the issue. Illegal mining is also taking place around Kanjhari dam and the tourism centre. This has posed a danger to the dam and environment of the tourism centre.
According to reports, huge craters have developed at places in forests while patches of greenery have vanished. Locals alleged illegal stone mining has being thriving because both the forest and revenue departments are sitting pretty and have taken no action against stone mafia.
It was alleged that some stone crushing units are operating in the area without getting lease of stone quarrying. As owners of stone crushing units are influential, the administration fears to take action against them. Locals observed that if a probe is ordered into the illegalities, involvement of many people will come out.
Moreover, stone crushing units are run with impunity. They have not taken any anti-pollution measures, flouting environment laws.
Locals accused the administration and the pollution regulatory authorities of inaction in dealing with the stone crushing units. Some unscrupulous officials are said to be encouraging such illegal activities.
Locals living near Kanjhari dam alleged that tonnes of fine dust from stone crushing units floating in the air pose a threat to wild animals’ lives. Layers of dust are also found on tree leaves in the area. The livelihood of tribals depends on forests. As green patches are vanishing, their livelihood is in peril.
Locals demanded the forest and revenue departments to conduct raids and stop the illegal activities of stone-crushing units. PNN
