Alleging that indiscriminate granite mining is continuing unabated in the catchment area of Kalyanapulova reservoir in Ravikamatham mandal despite several complaints, civil rights activists have accused the officials of revenue, mining and forest departments of being hand in glove with the mining companies.
Human Rights Forum general secretary V.S. Krishna and water conservationist Rajendra Singh have already made representations to the authorities, seeking prompt actions to stop the mining activity. The tribal farmers in the area too have been up in arms demanding a complete ban on the mining. They allege that the indiscriminate mining is damaging the reservoir.
With an ayacut of 4,484 acres, the reservoir has its catchment area spreading over 21.5 square miles.
Representation to CS
Former bureaucrat E.A.S. Sarma has sought the intervention of Chief Secretary L.V. Subrahmanyam to stop the damage being done to the reservoir. “After drawing a blank from the district authorities, I have no other alternative than seeking intervention of Mr. Subrahmanyam. Private miners, in collusion with the local officials, are dictating terms in a manner that is damaging the reservoir,” Mr. Sarma said.
According to Mr. Sarma, to create a similar reservoir now, the investment required is not less than ₹100 crore, not counting the land compensation rates calculated under the Land Acquisition Act of 2013.
Benamis are acting at the behest of mining barons in other States. The benefits that accrue to the local population from mining are meagre even as the damage caused to the environment is immense, he said.
‘Pleas fell on deaf ears’
“It is surprising that how the officers, while considering mining proposals, have not cared to seek the views of the Irrigation Department which is maintaining the reservoir. The officials are suppressing the fact that the mining is taking a toll on the reservoir’s capacity. All complaints fell on deaf ears,” Mr. Sarma pointed out.
Even as the Irrigation Department objected to the mining activity, the authorities has thus far chosen to ignore the pleas for the reason best known to them, the former bureaucrat alleged.
Santosh Patnaik