Mining stopped in areas surrounding Karijeshwar Temple: Minister Sunil Kumar

Mangaluru: Mining in Kavala Mudur and Kavala Padur villages of Bantwal taluk that surround the famous Karinjeshwar temple has been halted, said DK District In-Charge Minister V Sunil Kumar.

The mining that has been going on illegally has been stopped, he said.

The locals had accused that the blasts from the illegal mining in the surrouding areas were harming the structure of the iconic Karinjeshwara Temple.

The minister informed that discussions are currently in progress to declare the Karinjeshwara area as “sensitive”. “The demands of the locals and devotees will be fulfilled in a phased manner,” he assured.

Sunil Kumar also gave the details of the mining that has been stopped.

Since 2007, mining was carried out in a once-acre area in Kavala Mudur village. However, the owners illegally extended their mining operations to 3.28 acres beyond the permitted area and for this, the mining department has slapped a fine of Rs 8.12 crore on them.  The mining has been stopped in December 2021 and legal recourse has been sought in the case, the minister said.

Mining also started in 2016 in Kavala Padur village, but this too has been stopped as it was found that the owner encroached into nearby land reserved for grazing.  Another mine being run unofficially by a person after the original owner died has also been stopped, he added.