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Govt orders closure of mining sites near KNP

By Correspondent

DIPHU, June 8 - In a significant move, the Divisional Forest Officer, Karbi Anglong East Division forest through a notification (Memo No A/KAEM/Mines& Minirals/2018-19 Dated 3.05.2018) has ordered the closure of ten mining sites adjacent to the Kaziranga National Park.

The Government order mentioned that the decision has been taken on the basis of the discussion held on April 24 with the central empowered committee (CEC) constituted by the Supreme Court at Chanakya Bhavan, New Delhi. The CEC superseded all orders and provisions of the Assam Mines and Minerals Concession Rules 2013. However, the affected parties have been given a small concession. The order has mentioned that sites for alternative quarries will be selected and mining plans prepared.

Eight quarries shut down under the jurisdiction of Northern Range, Dolarama are Dihing stone quarry, Harmoti stone quarry, Bor Deka stone quarry, Kunjur (Kuthori), Phong langso stone quarry, Leprosy Colony stone quarry, Galeki stone quarry, Panbari stone quarry at Bagori. Under Parkup Pahar Range Rangagora area, the Silimkhuwa stone quarry has been closed. Assistant Conservators of Northern Range, Dolarama and North Western Range Parkup Pahar have been directed to carry out the government order without any delay.

It may be mentioned here that all the quarries are located in the fringe areas of the national park which has been marked as eco- sensitive zone (10 km limit) of Kaziranga National Park by the park authority and has been endorsed by other authorities like National Green Tribunal. In this connection, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, Assam also upheld the view of the central empowered committee through a letter where he mentioned that illegal mining activities are going on in the hills of Karbi Anglong close to the national park, and this was physically observed by the members of the CEC on June 1, 2018.

It is learnt from reliable sources that the CEC in its meeting held on April 24, directly mentioned that the DFO (E) Karbi Anglong has issued permit of mining without any authority as the Department of Mines and Minerals has not been transferred to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council authority and it is very much under the control of the State and Central governments.

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