Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jan 31:  Tahsildar of the taluk, Dr Dase Gowda, said that he will be sending a report, recommending for placing a ban on sand mining on the banks of Kumaradhara River at Veeramangala in Shantigodu village, where the ‘Avabhrita Snana (holy bath)’ during the annual car festival of Lord Mahalingeshwar Temple in the town, is held annually.

A few persons including local gram panchayat member, Babu Shetty, and social activist, Shashidhar V N, had complained to the assistant commissioner, Dr K Harish Kumar, drawing his attention to the fact that sand mining was going on at the spot, and expressing apprehension about the damage the activity may inflict on the sanctity of the region. They had demanded for the area to be declared as a sand mining-free zone.

Under the instruction of the assistant commissioner, the tahsildar conducted spot inspection. During his visit, it was found that no one was given licence to conduct sand mining here, and that some people, who had obtained mining lease for a nearby area, had illegally begun sand mining here.

MLA, Mallika Prasad, and MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, had also urged the district administration in the past to declare the banks of River Kumaradhara at Veeramangala, as a mining-free zone. With this, it is hoped that the area will remain free of interference by vested interests.