Illegal laterite stone quarrying has been going on unabatedfor almost a decade in Sattari, allegedly with the blessing of the officialsand local politicians.
Recently the sudden rise in demand of laterite stones hasincreased the frequency. Government’s failure to put a lid on the illegalquarrying has also given fillip to the trade.
Sattari taluka comprises of 12 village panchayats. Barring Mauxiand Thane panchayats, illegal stone quarrying takes place fearlessly and infull swing in all the other panchayat areas.
Illegal stone quarrying takes place at around 135 placeswithout the permission of the mines and geological department, sourcesdisclosed.
Locals informed that in some areas illegal quarrying happenedthroughout day and night. The high tech machinery causes high decibel noisecreating a nuisance to the people living around, particularly at night.
“We areaware that illegal laterite extraction is going on for the last ten years. Theconcerned department instead of taking action are found to be hand in gloveswith the offenders,” said Vishant Nabar,the sarpanch of Guleli.
There are a few who use their own land to carry out illegalquarrying. But there are others who have encroached on government land like inAdvoi and Vante.
As per government record around 30,000 sq mts of revenue landhas been swallowed up by the quarrying mafia.
In the last ten years stone quarrying has caused enormousdamage to the environment, as hundreds of trees have been cut down.
The panchayats are aware of the illegal activity but refuseto take action for political reasons, sources informed.
“We don’thave powers to take action against those who indulge in illegal stonequarrying. In fact locals have often raised this issue at Gram Sabhas. We havealready submitted a report about the illegal activity to the mines andgeological department,” Nagargao sarpanch Ramesh Joshi said.
The government has failed to register a single offenceagainst any of the illegal stone quarrying owners in last so many years.
A month ago some locals and social activists had lodgedcomplaints regarding illegal quarrying with Paresh Faldesai, Mamlatdar(Sattari) but so far no action has been taken.
According to Prashant Desai youth leader and social activistfrom Bhironda panchayat illegal quarrying has affected the environment andcaused enormous damage in the area.
Environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar of Keri blamed governmentpolicies for the uncontrolled laterite quarrying.
