Nayagarh: Wanton blasting in stone quarries have left people fuming in Kishoreprasad area under Gania block of Nayagarh district. But the administration has allegedly failed to curb such illegal activities.
According to reports, stone is illegally being mined in Khalisara mouza. Such illegal activities have been taking a heavy toll on greenery in the locality. Small rocky mounds in the area have also been destroyed.
Villagers of Khalisara alleged that mafia has been carrying out stone mining in these mounds, leading to the loss of greenery.
“Holes are drilled into stones and they blasted apart to extract stone. The main problem is due to blastings, stone splinters and clouds of dust settle on the farmlands. These farmlands are covered with a layer of stone dusts and are unfit from farming.” They pointed out.
Though the administration has been repeatedly alerted of the illegal stone mining and its ill impacts on farming and greenery, the issue has not been redressed till date, the villages rued.
Groundnut and paddy farming is done widely in the area. After blasts, stone pieces and dusts coming out of the mines often damage crops.
“As a result, some farmers have stopped this farming. Forests is being damaged by illegal stone mining,” they added.
Following complaints from the local people, the administration had sealed a stone crushing unit in the area.
Locals further alleged that in reality, the said sealed crusher unit is running while stone is supplied from the nearby quarries.
They alleged that whenever the locals oppose the stone mining and operation of the stone crushing units, they are threatened.
Tehsildar Mitali Patra said,”Following complaints about the illegal blastings and operation of the stone crushing unit, the administration has initiated action.”
“If people again alleged about such illegality, I will get the matter probed and action will be taken,” he added.
PNN