Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Mar 21: A divisional bench of the state High Court on Friday March 20, stayed quarrying activity that is going on in Ulepady and surrounding areas in Dakshina Kannada district. It also has directed the Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner and Karnataka Environment Pollution Control Board to investigate the matter and submit a report thereof to the High Court within two weeks.

Through a public interest petition, Krishna, secretary of Ulepady Anti-quarrying Committee and other committee members had approached the High Court to restrict quarrying activity in Ulepady and nearby places. They allege that in violation of rules in vogue, quarrying activities are being undertaken in the village within a radius of 100 metres from houses, religious centres and schools.

The divisional bench headed by Chief Justice P D Dinakaran which heard the arguments, passed the above order. The advocate who appeared on behalf of the petitioners said, both authorized and unauthorized quarrying activities are going on in several sites in and around Ulepady. As powerful explosives are used for blasting the rocks, the lives of the people living in the vicinity of these quarries are in danger. Hence, illegal quarrying and use of powerful explosives in the area should be banned, he prayed.