The Hindu : Karnataka News : Proposal to ban quarrying near Nandi Hills

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Thursday, Dec 09, 2010
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Proposal to ban quarrying near Nandi Hills

Special Correspondent

CHICKBALLAPUR: Chickballapur Deputy Commissioner N. Manjula on Wednesday said that the district administration would propose to the State Government to ban stone quarrying in the vicinity of Nandi Hills.

Such a ban was necessary as large-scale stone quarrying in the area was posing a serious threat to the tourist destination, Dr. Manjula said at a press conference that was convened here by Government Land Protection Task Force chairman V. Balasubramanian. When journalists informed Mr. Balasubramanian that illegal mining was thriving on encroached government land at several villages, Ms. Manjula intervened and said there were reports of illegal mining taking place in the district, and steps would be taken to curb it.

The district administration had indeed refused to renew/issue licences for stone quarrying in some areas, including Bagepalli, she said.

Mr. Balasubramanian said the task force was not looking into the encroachment of government land in Bellary's mining belt as the Lokayukta and the Supreme Court constituted committees were probing the issue.

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