Post News Network
Jajpur, Nov 27: Cracking its whip on crusher units operating without environmental clearance, the district administration Friday stopped illegal stone extraction from Dankari hill. The action will adversely impact the operation of 20 mega stone crushing units set up in the periphery of the hill at cost of over Rs 100 crore.
Extraction of granite from the hill was being carried out without environmental clearance for a long time while the wagon drilling method of quarrying was a cause of concern in the locality.
Dharmasala tehsildar took action on the illegal quarrying following a directive from the collector on the recommendation of the regional authorities of the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB).
As the news spread, people of Dankari and neighbouring villages heaved a sigh of relief. Wagon drilling of stones and blasting in quarries caused severe pollution in the area, as result of which many people were afflicted with kidney ailments. Orissa Post had carried several reports in this regard in the past.
Dankari hill has been controversial for quarrying of black stone, a minor mineral high in demand for construction. But the administration had allowed quarrying for years even though there was no environmental clearance. Even OSPCB remained blind to this illegal act, despite allegations from various quarters.
The OSPCB had in its letter-2223 asked the quarry owners to obtain environmental clearance August 18, 2014. Quarrying was then taking place over 16.6 hectares of land.
Though 14 months had passed since this directive, no steps were taken to get the clearance. The quarry owners were carrying out wagon drilling, which besides causing pollution also led to depletion of groundwater in the area. Over 20 people have lost their lives in Dankari due to kidney-related diseases.
Local social activists had moved the High Court against the illegal quarrying. Thursday, a delegation led by president of the BJP’s Jajpur unit, Ashutosh Parida, met the State Human Rights Commission and an official of the OSPCB in this regard. PNN
