Rajkot: Some perplexing geological changes have been witnessed near the lignite mining site operated by a public sector company in a coastal village of Moti Hoidad in Ghogha taluka of Bhavnagar district. On November 16, villagers’ statements marking the rise of the ground level of a portion of land by around 30 to 40 foot raised the curiosity of environmental experts.
According to villagers, a portion of land measuring about 700 metre in length and 300 metre wide in the mining area has risen up. The area surrounding the mine comprises 12 villages with 33,000 population who are mainly dependent on agricultural activities.
Members of the Prayavaran Suraksha Smiti visited the site on November 25 along with officials of the Gujarat Power Corporation (GPCL), Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), mamlatdar and assistant collector of Bhavnagar. Later, on Monday.
“No action has been taken to direct GPCL to immediately stop mining in the area till the the expert committee submits its interim report,” the letter stated.
Rohit Prajapati of Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti told TOI, “There are some geological changes happening in the mining area that may prove disastrous for the villages. The same thing happened a year ago too.”
Bhavnagar district collector Gaurang Makwana, however, told TOI, “We have asked geologist to submit a report regarding the incident. The geologists have already visited the site and we are expecting a report soon. I can’t order the ongoing work to be stopped till I have a scientific report suggesting the same. If the primary report indicates something extraordinary in nature, we will rope in expert agencies to look into the matter.”