Keonjhar: Rampant murram mining has reportedly taken a heavy toll on greenery at Nelung under Keonjhar block.
As the administration is not acting against the murram mafia, the state government is losing huge amount of revenue.
Expressing their discontent over the illegal quarrying, locals accused the tehsil staff of sitting pretty. Some influential people of the area are involved in the mineral loot in connivance with unscrupulous tehsil staff, the locals alleged.
Machines have been engaged to dig murram while tractors are transporting consignments to various places.
“Huge pits and craters have been created due to mining while sal trees have been felled to make space for quarrying. Loss of greenery has posed a threat to the survival of wild animals while craters are dangerous for domestic and wild animals,” the locals pointed out.
The miners have also dug out big pits have around the Ambuposi Primary School, endangering children.
The villagers demanded immediate action against the mafia and seizure of their equipment.
PNN