Granite mining opposed at hilly areas in Nandigama

Srikakulam: The proposed granite mining on hilly areas at Sontinuru village in Nandigama mandal was strongly opposed by the local tribes and members of Paryavarana Parirakshana Sangham (PPS) on Sunday.

The village is part of Gollavuru grama panchayat and granite deposits were detected at the hills. The Panchayat Raj, Mines and other concerned department officials conducted Grama Sabha reportedly owing to pressure from the ruling party leaders to collect the opinion of local people on October 21. Covid guidelines were also ignored during the meeting.

During the TDP regime, the then ruling party leaders got permissions to excavate granite at Sontinuru hills against norms. But later the permissions were cancelled by the government. Now the YSRCP leaders initiated steps to get permissions against rules.

Sontinuru hills are located in the Agency area and having importance ecologically. Adjacent to the hills, several tribal hamlets are located. If the granite mining is allowed here the environment will get affected.

On information, members of PPS, Beena Dhilli Rao, Thota Mohan Rao, Pothanapalli Kameswara Rao, B Vasudeva Rao, T Bala Raju and Nandigama mandal social activist Kolla Papa Rao inspected the spot on Sunday and inquired about the locality and its importance.

They also interacted with the local people and collected their opinion over proposed granite mining. Speaking on the occasion, they demanded immediate cancellation of proposals on mining activity.