Villagers intensify protests against stone mining in Somwarpet, Virajpet

Madikeri: Residents of Yalakanur (Halemadalapura) in Somwarpet taluk, and of Kadangamaruru and Arameri villages in Virajpet taluk, Kodagu district, have intensified their opposition to stone mining through separate protests in their villages, alleging that quarry operations threaten their homes, temples, farmland, forests, and water sources.KJ Umesh, general secretary of Sri Basaveshwara and Sri Kumaran Lingeshwara Temple Restoration Committee in Somwarpet taluk, said villagers urged ministers and officials not to issue a no-objection certificate for stone mining at Yalakanur under Nerugale gram panchayat. He said the proposed quarry site is about 10 metres from a tribal colony where 25 families live. He pointed out that an ancient Basavanna shrine is located nearby and that muzrai department has already sanctioned Rs 3 lakh for the construction of Basaveshwara and Kumar Lingeshwara temples. He added that the area includes agricultural land, a nearby stream, Kakkehole reserve forest and Jenukallu hill.Villagers said the movement of heavy vehicles through the colony road would cause serious hardship if mining were allowed. They submitted representations to forest minister Eshwara Khandre, DC SJ Somashekar, and officials of the mines & geology and social welfare departments, demanding that clearance not be granted. They sought a written assurance within 15 days that mining will not be allowed, warning that they would stage protests in front of the DC office and the forest department office otherwise.In a separate development in Virajpet, residents of Kadangamaruru and Arameri resolved to intensify their agitation against mining in Arameri after department of mines and geology granted permission despite objections from locals. At a meeting, villagers said mining was halted earlier following the intervention of Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna, but later resumed, creating problems as heavy explosives are used in the area.They said they have opposed the project since 2022, but the gram panchayat issued its consent for mining. Though complaints were lodged with officials, there has been no effective action, they said. They added that the tahsildar inspected the site following complaints, but no detailed survey of residential and agricultural areas was conducted. Even after approaching the DC, residents alleged that the mines and geology department issued a licence for mining over 4.5 acres in Arameri village without consulting villagers. They also alleged that 70 to 80 lorry loads of stone were transported daily earlier and demanded cancellation of the permit.
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