Stone-crushing units destroying tiger habitat

Uttam Mukherjee, TNN Oct 15, 2011, 09.31AM IST LOHARDAGA: Once a tiger habitant and a beautiful green hillock with a natural source of sweet water, Bagh Tungri in Jhaljhamira panchayat has now been destroyed as stone-crushing units have come up in the area. The district administration had allowed stone-crushing units of six big and small private companies to come up here. Heavy machines destroyed 50% of Tungri which could have been developed into a tourist hot spot. The department officials said Tungri was given on lease to five companies and hence there was no need for sanctioning lease to a sixth party. On the other hand, there were no public complaints. Villagers of Jhaljhamira and Datri had stopped transportation of stones from Tungri. Recently, deputy commissioner Ratan Kumar reviewed the complaints of villagers through a probe committee and ordered Simplex, the major lessee, to stop work. Now villagers have demanded a complete ban of stone-crushing units in Bagh Tungri. Social activist Manorma Ekka said, "We lost the natural beauty of the hillock as well as its historical and religious value and most importantly its waterfall to mining." "Roads become completely muddy due to plying of heavy vehicles," said a resident, Pankaj Oraon. Since Tungri was not fenced, blasts created several other problems. It damaged fruit-bearing trees and plants grown near it under the National Gardening Mission on over 15 acres of land. As many as 30 heavy vehicles used to ply and several heavy machines drilled and blasted stones every day. Because of irregularities, including lack of demarcation of its lease area, the company was ordered to stop work before Durga Puja, said the DC. He added that the district transport officer had been ordered to lodge an FIR against vehicles carrying over 10 tonnes of load on rural roads. A public notice was also published in newspapers about the action taken for violating norms under damage to public property act. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-15/ranchi/30282948_1_stone-crushing-units-heavy-vehicles-villagers