Illegal mining near Harangi Dam poses threat

Madikeri: Harangi Dam, one of Karnataka's major reservoirs, is reportedly facing a threat due to illegal mining activities occurring near its limits. Residents of Kushalnagar taluk have filed complaints regarding these illicit operations, which have also resulted in the clearing of valuable trees across acres of land. Residents express fear that continuous human interference in this vulnerable area could lead to a disaster and are urging authorities to take immediate action against the illegal mining.
Chandramohan, convenor of the Kaveri Swachata Andolana, stated, 'Huge loads of mud are regularly transported on the Harangi Dam road, and the increased truck traffic is damaging the road. Furthermore, just 200 to 300 meters from Harangi Dam, valuable trees have been cleared over acres of land to facilitate mining activities.' He added that despite this widespread illegal activity, no official has taken any action. He explained that valuable trees, including rosewood, sandalwood, and other old trees, have been illegally felled without the permission of the concerned authorities. He also expressed concern that the increasing interference with the land by those extracting soil is likely to endanger the safety of the reservoir.
Resident Shekhar said, 'Mining activity is being carried out without any fear of officials. No official seems to be aware of this large-scale illegal activity. The road constructed by the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam from Harangi Dam to the village is being completely damaged due to the movement of heavy machinery and trucks carrying goods.' He noted that a huge hill is being excavated with Hitachi machines just 200 to 300 meters on the left side of the dam, and thousands of loads of soil are being illegally transported, yet officials from the concerned departments have reportedly taken no action.
When questioned about the matter, Kushalnagar Taluk Tahsildar Kiran G. confirmed that the issue would be investigated. E.E. Puttaswamy of the Harangi division stated, 'We have received complaints about the activities happening near the reservoir. The Minor Irrigation, Revenue, Forest, and Mines and Geology departments will soon inspect the site. An inspection will be conducted, and appropriate action will be taken.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hans India

4 days ago

• Hans India

Illegal mining near Harangi Dam poses threat

Madikeri: Harangi Dam, one of Karnataka's major reservoirs, is reportedly facing a threat due to illegal mining activities occurring near its limits. Residents of Kushalnagar taluk have filed complaints regarding these illicit operations, which have also resulted in the clearing of valuable trees across acres of land. Residents express fear that continuous human interference in this vulnerable area could lead to a disaster and are urging authorities to take immediate action against the illegal mining. Chandramohan, convenor of the Kaveri Swachata Andolana, stated, 'Huge loads of mud are regularly transported on the Harangi Dam road, and the increased truck traffic is damaging the road. Furthermore, just 200 to 300 meters from Harangi Dam, valuable trees have been cleared over acres of land to facilitate mining activities.' He added that despite this widespread illegal activity, no official has taken any action. He explained that valuable trees, including rosewood, sandalwood, and other old trees, have been illegally felled without the permission of the concerned authorities. He also expressed concern that the increasing interference with the land by those extracting soil is likely to endanger the safety of the reservoir. Resident Shekhar said, 'Mining activity is being carried out without any fear of officials. No official seems to be aware of this large-scale illegal activity. The road constructed by the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam from Harangi Dam to the village is being completely damaged due to the movement of heavy machinery and trucks carrying goods.' He noted that a huge hill is being excavated with Hitachi machines just 200 to 300 meters on the left side of the dam, and thousands of loads of soil are being illegally transported, yet officials from the concerned departments have reportedly taken no action. When questioned about the matter, Kushalnagar Taluk Tahsildar Kiran G. confirmed that the issue would be investigated. E.E. Puttaswamy of the Harangi division stated, 'We have received complaints about the activities happening near the reservoir. The Minor Irrigation, Revenue, Forest, and Mines and Geology departments will soon inspect the site. An inspection will be conducted, and appropriate action will be taken.'

The Hindu

05-06-2025

• The Hindu

Kanniyakumari collector holds meeting with Indian maritime experts

Kanniyakumari District Collector R. Alagumeena convened a meeting with Indian maritime experts at the district collectorate on Wednesday, regarding the impacts on the Arabian sea following the sinking of a cargo vessel off the Kochi coast. Speaking at the meeting the collector noted that the district comprises 42 coastal villages spread across a coastline of 71.05 km. Since May 27, debris including the plastic pellets (nurdles) , wooden logs, cashew nuts, iron rods have been washing ashore in the several coastal villages of Kanniyakumari district. Following the guidelines provided by Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, officials from the departments of Pollution Control Board, Revenue, Fisheries, Fire and Rescue service have been actively involved in clearing the debris along the coastline. The collected materials are safely stored at respective block and municipal offices. The collector also mentioned that she had conducted discussions with coastal police officials from Gujarat, as well as the Gujarat based agency engaged in debris clearance operations along the coast. In line with this, a meeting was held with maritime experts and officials of insurance company to assess the impacts in the Arabian sea region. During the meeting the collector also sought information regarding the procedures involved in rescue operations of the sunken cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3.

The Hindu

04-06-2025

• The Hindu

Indiramma Housing Scheme aims to fulfill dreams of all eligible poor people to own a house: Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy

The Indiramma housing programme is a continuous process aimed at fulfilling housing dreams of all eligible poor people in a phased manner across the State, said Minister for Revenue, Housing and Information and Public Relations Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. Despite financial constraints, the People's Government (Congress government) has allocated ₹22,500 crore for the first phase of the Indiramma Housing Scheme this year, he said. He was speaking after handing over sanction letters to the beneficiaries of the Indiramma Housing Scheme under Edulapuram municipal limits in Khammam on Wednesday. As many as 3,500 houses are being sanctioned to each Assembly Constituency in the first phase of the scheme. Additionally, houses are being allocated to Chenchus (one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) in a saturation mode. The Minister asserted that the houses are being sanctioned in a transparent manner to deliver the benefits to the deserving poor people. Our government is working with resolute commitment for the welfare of poor and marginalised sections of the society, he said, adding that it was the aim of the Congress government to construct 20 lakh Indiramma houses to fulfill the dreams of all homeless poor people to own a house in a phased manner. The BRS government belied the aspirations of homeless poor people by depriving them of a roof over their heads during its nearly 10-year rule, he charged. Khammam Collector Muzammil Khan and Commissioner of Police Sunil Dutt, among others were present. Later, the Minister laid foundation stones for various road works in Khammam rural mandal.