Deputy CM orders probe into ‘illegal mining’ on Panchadarla hill

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Forests, K. Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the alleged environmental violations in the gravel excavation being carried out at Panchadarla hill in Anakapalli district.

In a release, Mr. Kalyan directed the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) to conduct a detailed investigation and submit a report on the violations. He also instructed the Revenue and Mines Departments to examine the proposal for declaring the Panchadarla hill surroundings as 'no mining zone’. He also ordered for immediate cancellation of the licenses of the mining permissions.

The Deputy CM reviewed the issue with the Anakapalli District Collector and officials of the PCB after reports surfaced alleging illegal mining at Panchadarla. After reviewing the Collector's report, he issued a series of directives aimed at protecting the ecologically and culturally significant hill.

According to the preliminary findings submitted by the district administration and APPCB officials, there is evidence that the mining company, which had obtained official permissions, violated environmental regulations. Mr. Kalyan instructed officials to initiate strict action against the company, including imposing penalties.

Expressing concern over the alleged impact of the excavation on the ancient Sri Uma Dharmalingeswara Swamy Temple located at the foothills of Panchadarla and the area's natural water springs, the Deputy CM stressed that immediate conservation measures should be taken to protect both the heritage structure and the fragile ecosystem.

To ascertain the reasons behind the reported change in the colour of the natural springs, he ordered that scientists from the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) be invited to conduct a scientific assessment of the water sources.