Bengaluru: One of the senior officials working with Mines and Geology Department has revealed that the cancellation of licences of the quarrying around Bannerghatta National Park was under process and a heavy fine will also be slapped.
Though an official order is yet to come out in the public domain, the news has been welcomed by the activists who were constantly highlighting the issue of the denudation of the topography near the park.
Thanking Deccan Chronicle for its extensive coverage on the quarrying and illegal sand mining in and around the national park, tree doctor Vijay Nishanth said, “We are happy that the licences have been cancelled. It is a victory for the people. We were very concerned about the environment and wildlife in the area.”
Retired judge Justice M.F. Saldanha had written letters to the Union Minister Harsh Vardhan and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah apprising them about the illegal mining. However none of them care to reply.
“The mining became an issue of life and death and once the licences are cancelled, I just hope that the quarry owners do not get back to their work after a while. Over 47 villages around the mining area are constantly living in fear,” Justice Saldanha added.
