Mining zones by the state triggers agitation

Hyderabad: The recent decision of the Telangana government to allow mining zones in nearly 3,000 acre in Ranga Reddy district has triggered anti-mining agitations in the areas that will be affected.

The decision was taken at a review meeting conducted by mines minister T. Harish Rao at the Secretariat last week. The government has identified seven mining zones and plans to permit five zones initially.

The mining activity is aimed at producing raw material for laying roads and to meet the needs of the construction industry such as concrete, robo sand etc.

Mr Rao said that the construction industry was facing a severe shortage of concrete and sand and this problem would be overcome if mining zones were allowed in RR district.

However, the decision triggered sharp protests from villagers and farmers in areas that fall under the mining zones.

In fact, the previous Congress government headed by Kiran Kumar Reddy had made attempts to allow mining zones in 2011 but had backtracked later owing to stiff resistance from villagers and farmers.

The anti-mining agitation is intensifying as villagers say that it will erode the soil and hit agricultural activities, which is their main source of livelihood, due to blasting of rocks and mining activity. They also fear depletion of ground water levels and pollution.

Allaying these fears, director of mines B.R.V. Susheel Kumar said, “Mining zones are being allowed to streamline the mining activity. In their absence, illegal mining is being taken up by some unscrupulous elements at any location of their choice. If mining zones are earmarked, mining would be confined only to those locations. All precautionary measures will be taken to ensure that there is no threat to agriculture or environment.”

Out of seven mining zones identified, three fall under Manchala mandal alone. Locals of this mandal are thus more agitated than others. They have formed an anti-mining forum to step up agitation programmes against mining zones.

“Out of nearly 3,000 acre identified for mining, 2,000 acre falls under Manchala mandal. Officials informed us that mining will be taken up for 15 years with a production of 20 million tonnes. Blasting will be done 15 metres below the ground to break rocks, which will be a threat to agriculture as ground water levels will deplete and the villages will become a desert. We had successfully fought against mining during the Congress regime in 2011 and the same will be done now against the TRS government till it withdraws the decision,” said Mr Ch. Ramesh, convenor of the forum.

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