Greens sound alarm on illegal blasting by Karjat quarry operators; min orders probe
Navi Mumbai: State forest minister Ganesh Naik has ordered an inquiry into the alleged illegal use of explosives, including crude bombs and gelatin sticks, continuing unabated in Karjat taluka's rural areas for extracting earth and rocks from riverbanks and hillsides.
Naik told TOI: "No such activity has been reported yet from the forest land. However, forest officials have been directed to conduct a thorough probe. Strict action will be initiated if any violations are found."Locals said a resident's complaint against illegal quarrying in Bhaktawadi and Shingdol-Ambevali areas led to retaliatory action. Quarry operators, they alleged, detonated two bombs near the complainant's residence, causing windows to shake. Environmentalists warned such illegal activities will also damage biodiversity."It is sad that while our country was in a state of emergency last week, some people are casually exploding crude bombs in rural areas of Karjat, while also destroying our rivers, forests, and nature to steal earth and rocks. The forested Karjat will be destroyed in the next few years if authorities do not stop this now. High land prices in Karjat have led to this destruction," said S Dash, an activist.When contacted, deputy superintendent of police D Tele said they will look into the complaint. According to a local activist, members of two local communities are primarily responsible for using explosives and heavy machinery to extract stones and rocks from these areas. Illegal activities resulted in the felling of mature trees to create access paths for JCBs to reach river banks for soil excavation illegally."We demand that there should be an immediate inquiry. Damage caused to the riverbank and forest hills is also a violation of the Environment Protection Act. State authorities must take this seriously and rope in the Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization," said an RTI activist. Community activists are calling for deterrent action by increasing surveillance of these vulnerable areas by forest department and Karjat police to prevent further illegal blasting and confiscation of explosives.
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