Tribals Protest Granite Quarrying in Madugula

Visakhapatnam: A public hearing was held on Thursday on environmental clearance for a granite quarry in Urlova, Madugula mandal, which gave tribal residents of Komiri village a platform to voice their strong opposition to such activities.

They complained that quarrying was damaging their agricultural lands and livelihoods.

The meeting, held at V Jagannadhapuram village was chaired by Narsipatnam RDO, VV Ramana and attended by an executive engineer from the pollution control board. Twenty-seven individuals shared their views.

The voice of the tribals from Komiri was particularly impactful. The tribals carried placards and staged a padayatra from their village to the venue. They demanded settlement of their land rights before any further mining was permitted.

The locals alleged that dust and waste generated by granite quarrying at Urlova have been affecting their cashew plantations and agricultural fields. Quarry waste has accumulated on tribal lands within the boundaries of Komiri, specifically affecting survey numbers from 1-1 to 30 sub-divisions.

Despite submitting several representations to the district authorities, local revenue officials, and the police, and having inspections conducted, no effective action followed, they said.

The tribals’ demands include restoring land records and issuing pattadar passbooks for the lands they have been cultivating. They assert that they hold rightful titles to these properties.

CPI(M) district secretary Koteswara Rao, Girijana Sangham district honorary president K Govinda Rao, and local CPI(M) leader E Narasimha Murthy joined the protest, providing political support to the tribals’ agitation.

Officials, including Madugula MRO Anuradha, were present at the hearing,

The residents warned that they would intensify their struggle if their concerns regarding land rights and the impacts of quarrying are not addressed.