BERHAMPUR: Following protests of villagers the administration had to order to stop mining operation of stone quarry in Baulajholi panchayat in Ganjam district till further orders.
The Ganjam unit of the CPI (M) had also come out in support of the villagers of Baulajholi panchayat in their tirade against the polluting mining operation and stone crusher. On Saturday the inhabitants of Baulojholi reached the city to hold demonstration in front of the office of the sub-collector. The Ganjam district Collector was also in the office during the period.
A delegation of agitating villagers along with CPI (M) leaders met the district Collector, V.K.Pandian over the matter. The delegation included leaders of villagers of Baulajholi panchayat, Chandan Moharana, Jagabandhu Bisoi, State secretariat member of the CPI (M), Ali Kishore Patnaik, district secretary of the party Kalu Panda and leader of its city unit, Basanta Nanda.
The delegation described the problems caused by the stone quarries and stone crushers in the Baulajholi panchayat.
They demanded the administration to save the Buduka hill in the panchayat. The stone quarry that operates in the area has been leased out and licensed by the State government. The villagers of the panchayat alleged that the stone quarry and stone crushers have affected the livelihood of a number of Muslim families of the area who were earlier making grinding stones for household use using the granite blocks found in the area. They lost their livelihood due to leasing out of the granite belts near the villages to the private company.
They also added that large scale pollution caused by the mechanised crushing of stones had started to affect agriculture in the area. Large amount of dust generated by the crushers and the blasting has become a major health hazard. Its deposition on the leaves of crop and cashew plantations has affected productivity of plants.
Mr. Nanda said after the discussion, the district Collector promised to make an enquiry into the matter. The Berhampur sub-collector would make an enquiry into the allegations made by the villagers. The work of the stone quarry was ordered to be stopped till further orders.
(Courtesy : The Hindu)
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