Government committed to protecting temples: Kota Srinivas Poojary

Punjalkatte: The government and district administration are committed to the protection of all temples. In order to protect the historic Sri Karingeshwara Temple, it has been decided to impose a temporary ban on mining near the temple, said Muzrai and district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary.

Poojary was speaking after he inspected the collapsed retention wall of the temple along with Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik at Kaavamoodur village in Bantwal taluk.

In the wake of complaints by many devotees of the temple that the temple is being affected by stone quarrying and crushing activity nearby, Poojary visited the temple site and consulted with officials.

Poojary further stated that the three stone quarries nearby the temple are legal. Two of the quarries are non-operational due to technical reasons and one presently operational will be ordered to shut operations immediately. Further action will be taken after a report by experts from NITK on the effects of quarrying on the temple and the rocks around it.

The rebuilding of the collapsed wall and other urgent works would be carried out soon and as per the request of MLA Rajesh Naik the Karingeshwara temple and the surrounding areas will be developed as a tourist spot. A master plan will be prepared after consulting with the experts for the same, said Poojary.

BUDA president Devadas Shetty, Muzrai Department’s Assistant Commissioner Venkatesh, Mines Department chief Madheswara, Tehsildar Rashmi SR and Revenue Officer Naveen accompanied Poojary during his inspection.