R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (EP)

Karkala, Dec 17: The departments of geology and mining, revenue and forest jointly raided an illegal stone quarry at Kukkundooru Ayyappa Nagar deemed forest area on Wednesday December 16 and seized property worth several lacs including a lorry and a crane.

It is learnt that a person called Girish Kudva was mining there for the last few years. An application for the renewal of the licence was submitted but it is said that the licence was cancelled as the place falls under deemed forest. However the mining of valuable black stone which is used in sculptures, continued unabated.

The mine is said to be one of its kind, consisting of rare valuable stones. The stones are used in the construction of temples, luxury lodgings and luxurious houses. They are transported to Karkala, Beltangady, Udupi, Mangaluru and neighbourhood districts. They are used for decorated stone pillars and arcades. The illegal quarry has been stealing natural resources depriving revenue to the government, and moreover, the place was declared as deemed forest.

Kodandaramayya, official from the department of geology and mining, tahsildar Raghavendra, forest department official Rajashekar and Anand participated in the operation. Police had also deployed security.

Speaking about the illegal quarry, tahsildar Raghavendra, said, "The mine in Ayyappa Nagar is one of the most valuable. It is necessary to protect it for next generation. Those who indulge in illegal mining will be punished as per law."

170 quarries in deemed forest area

In a shocking revelation, it is learnt that more than 170 illegal quarries of red stone and black stone, have been found in the deemed forest area. The operation of the officials against only one quarry in Ayyappa Nagar and not others has given rise to suspicions.