Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SS)

Bantwal, Mar 15: The government of Karnataka has ordered a ban on quarrying within the 2-km radius of the historically renowned Karinjeshwara Temple in the taluk.

The government has in a notification issued by the undersecretary of Commerce and Industry Department (Mines) said the ban is in accordance with the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994.

The temple is located at Kavalamudoor village and the area surrounding the temple is restricted for religious activities and all the quarry and crusher activities will be banned with immediate effect until further orders, the government notification said.

Meanwhile, MLA Rajesh Naik had joined the issue with Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) and had called for a ban on quarrying around the temple. Members of the Vedike have expressed their pleasure and satisfaction over the government order on banning quarrying around the temple.

The HJV had submitted a memorandum to chief minister Basavaraj Bommai urging the government to protect the temple's sanctity by banning all quarry activities in the area surrounding the temple.

The district administration had been directed to look into the issue.

A team comprising assistant commissioner and deputy director of mines and geology department conducted a joint inspection of the spot in January and based on the report of the committee the deputy commissioner had written to the government.