Khunta: Notwithstanding a ban on mining and other ecologically harmful activities within 10km radius of the world famous Similipal biosphere, illegal stone quarrying is reportedly being carried out with impunity for the last few months under the very nose of the administration.
Illegal stone quarrying at some places and blasting in the quarries have posed serious threats to the biosphere, but locals alleged the administration is not acting against the stone mafia.
In the wake of media reports, officials of forest department, Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), wildlife division and honorary wildlife trustee along with tehsil officials started an investigation into the incident.
The officials found illegal stone quarrying going on at Digdiga, Tadakai, Chandan Chaturi, Bahalda, Kerketa beat and Pithabata range.
An illegal quarry was also found operating at Rengatasahi under Badasahi tehsil while another was found at Hatikota. Scores of illegal quarries were detected at Subarnamanjari under Khunta tehsil while quarries at Sapanchua and Sonpokhari were found just 200 metres from the limits of Similipal.
The officials also detected that no permission had been granted to any party to quarry in these areas. Besides, a ban has been imposed on stone blasting in the area.
Surprisingly, the officials of these areas are blissfully unaware of the matter.
Years ago, then assistant inspector general of forest on behalf of a standing committee under the National Wildlife Conservation Board had imposed strict restrictions on quarrying and other excavation activities in and around Similipal to protect its biosphere and make its environment free of pollution.
Even as efforts are on to ensure national park status to Similipal sanctuary, illegal stone quarrying may throw a spanner in it.
The administration is also shifting human habitations from the core areas of STR.
Dukura ranger Batakrushna Padhi denied allegation of illegal quarrying inside Similipal, but admitted that some quarries are on revenue land abutting Similipal boundaries. Revenue officials are responsible for looking into these issues, he added.
However, Khunta tehsildar Anupama Ghose claimed she has no reports about illegal quarrying in these areas. PNN
