Kullu: The Mandi administration has asked the proprietor of a stone-crushing unit to repair a road stretch it damaged or deposit Rs 20.75 lakh with the Himachal Pradesh public works department (HPPWD).
In a status report submitted recently to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Mandi deputy commissioner Apoorv Devgan stated that while inspecting the Mahalaxmi Stone Crusher in Baer village, on March 17, a road stretch near the unit was found to be damaged due to vehicular movements.
An estimate of Rs 20.75 lakh has been prepared by the executive engineer, HPPWD, Mandi division, for the restoration of the affected road stretch near the unit, the DC stated in his report.
"Accordingly, the proprietor of the stone-crushing unit has been asked either to restore the road to its original condition under the supervision and technical guidance of HPPWD or deposit the requisite amount with the department for the execution of the restoration work through the HPPWD," the DC stated.
According to the report, the proprietor has also been asked to implement an afforestation plan in the area under the technical guidance of the forest department, which will help in the selection of tree species to be planted.
During the inspection of the unit carried out by the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) on March 17, it found that the unit was operating within prescribed environmental norms, the report states.
The ambient air quality levels were well below permissible limits, with Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) recorded at 128 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m³) against the permissible limit of 600 µg/m³.
Noise levels were also compliant at 68.4 decibels (db), within the 75 db limit for industrial zones, the report states.
Acting on a petition filed by the residents of Baer village near Mandi town, the tribunal on Feb 6 directed the environment department principal secretary, Mandi deputy commissioner, HPSPCB and M/s Mahalaxmi Stone Crusher to take remedial measures.
In their petition, the residents of Baer village alleged that the Mahalaxmi Stone Crusher was functioning illegally without any mining lease or requisite permissions. The petition alleged that the stone-crushing unit was also carrying out unscientific and indiscriminate mining in the area, resulting in environmental destruction in the nearby areas.
There are piles of sand, gravel and other raw material at various locations along the roads that lead to the unit, and the dust generated by passing vehicles is causing massive air pollution in the area.
The stone-crushing activities have left a road stretch completely damaged, caused soil erosion, damaged trees and even affected water sources in the area, the petition stated.
"Illegal mining has affected two water sources, and the accessibility to a spring located near the unit, the main water source of the village, has been blocked due to mining activities," the petition added.
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A seasoned journalist, Rohit Mullick reports from the mountain st...
Read MoreA seasoned journalist, Rohit Mullick reports from the mountain state of Himachal Pradesh, covering a wide range of socio-political-environment issues and matters affecting everyday life. His in-depth coverage brings grassroots voices and ground realities from the Himalayas into national focus.
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