Kakinada: It has taken almost two decades for officials to admit to the prevalence of illegal laterite mining in the Nagulakonda hillocks of the Eastern Ghats. There were numerous complaints by locals as well as other organisations regarding illegal mining in the Thotapalli reserve forest under Yeleswaram range in East Godavari.
Ignoring these, officials have given leasing companies a free rein irrespective of boundaries. It wasn’t until Vigilance and Enforcement (V&E) wing officials conducted an in-depth inquiry that facts were revealed.
The V&E also found involvement of officials of revenue, forest, mining and geology and other departments and recommended action against 17 officials who allegedly helped Parameswari Minerals.
Officials who should protect government properties and natural resources supported illegal activity in laterite mining. They did not object or act when the company erased all boundaries and mined minerals beyond permitted levels.
When V&E officials sought files relating to the mining company, the deputy director of mines and geology, Kakinada, said it was not traceable. Officials obtained the main file from the director of mines and geology and other records in the office of the AD of mines and geology
Officials said the company had applied for mining lease for laterite for 50 acres in Gajjanapudi village for 20 years. Though some revenue officials found the irregularities, another survey team wrongly plotted on the initial sketch.
The V&E wing, in its report, attributed it to inaction, negligence and probable connivance of officials with the mining company.
Forest officials allow mining company lay road
Locals in Prathipadu and organisations like Srujana, Samatha, and environmentalists have agitated for years against illegal mining.
Despite submitting reports highlighting alleged violation of rules and the threat they posed to the eco-system, no action was taken and the mining continued to be rampant.
“We asked the officials to develop a five-foot path for 3 km for the convenience of the people in the Ghats under the then ‘Food for Work’ scheme. Forest officials disallowed it. The leasing company even developed a 90-feet road for 10 km but no forest official objected,’’ said Srujana convener K. Rajendra.
He said that due to excavation of areas near the Eastern Ghats, several mandals in East Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts are deprived of drinking water.
Earlier, rainfall in the Nagulakonda hillocks would fill up more than 200 ponds and the water was used for drinking purposes. Rampant mining of laterite has led to depletion of drinking water from tanks, and people were finding it difficult to access potable water, he said.
