SHIMOGA: When Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa himself is fighting for a ban on illegal mining in the state, it is an irony that laterite stone or red stone mining is going on unabated for the past four to five years in Anandapuram hobli of Sagar taluk in the district.
Except for three quarries, which have been mining red stones with licence, there are around 200 illegal laterite stone quarries in Anadapuram hobli alone because of the demand in Anandapuram, Tyagavarti and Channashettykoppa.
Best quality stones in state
Laterite soil is largely found in coastal and Malnad region. Red stones are used for construction of houses and wells. Stones available in Anandapuram hobli are being transported to Malnad area, Hirekerur, Ranebennur, Haveri, Byadagi and Hospet for construction of houses. The demand was less earlier as the stones were used only in Malnad and coastal belts. Mining of such stones has increased over the years as there is a demand for laterite stones in dry land areas as well, according to sources.
Around 250 loads of red stones are transported every day to other districts from Anandapuram hobli alone. Quarry owners charge Rs8 per stone that also includes loading and unloading of the stones to transport them to the nearby places and Rs3035 for transporting to faraway places such Ranebennur, Haveri, etc.
Illegal quarry owners are making a huge profit as they are mining the stones without licence or paying royalty.
Apathy of govt officials
The task of monitoring the quarries had been entrusted to the Revenue, Forest, and Mines and Geology Departments. Rather than taking action against the illegal quarries, the officials prefer to look the other way. There are allegations of them being hand in glove with the quarry owners.
There are only three quarries in Sagar taluk which are working within the purview of law. These are red stone quarries in Tyagavarti, Kerehaklu and Benkatavalli. Around 60 to 70 per cent of illegal laterite
quarries are located in forest areas, teak plantations and reserved forest area, sources revealed.
Committee formed 3 years ago
Youths of the region constituted a Tyagavarti, Hirebilaganji, Barur Gram Panchayat Nagarika Hitarkshana Vedike three years ago. They took photographs of the illegal stone quarries and filed a complaint with the Mines Minister, Lokayukta, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and tahsildar. Though the committee members met the DC several times, he has not visited the illegal quarries, as per reports.
The Lokayukta too called members thrice to Bangalore. The Lokayukta sleuths raided some illegal quarries and seized vehicles and other equipment. However, it is alleged that they did not file cases against the owners. The representatives of local bodies too have been supporting the illegal mining, sources said.
No other means of livelihood
A stone quarry owner in Channashettykoppa told Express that he has no other means for livelihood. "I have paid the Forest Department to get licence for stone mining. If the officials raid the quarry, we will be on the streets," he said.
Deputy Commissioner's version
Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj told Express that the district administration would soon call an adalat in which complaints regarding illegal laterite stone quarries or mining would be received. Spot visit would also be made and action taken, he said.
"Whenever I receive complaints, the officers conduct a raid or visit the spot for inspection," he stated.
Chief Conservator of Forest Brijesh Kumar stated that such illegal quarries which have been mining red stones in forest areas have not come to his notice and if any, he would look into it.
When Express contacted Sagar sub division Assistant Commissioner Praveenkumar, he said that laterite stone mining is not banned. The AC confirmed that there was some illegal red stone mining and raids were conducted on such quarries. He said that fines were also imposed.
