Staff Reporter
Bicholim
Sindhudurg’s District Collector Anil Patil has issued a directive to temporarily halt operations of stone quarries and crushing units as well as transportation near the Tillari dam. Approximately seven such units were operational in the ecologically sensitive area.
The order issued by the collector states that the decision was taken following a discussion with officials who pointed out that the mining activities can have detrimental impact on the Tillari dam as well as water in the village.
Stating that the stone quarrying and blasting activities in the Tillari dam region near Shirnge-Khanyale, Maharashtra are “illegal”, environmental activists have said that a Supreme Court order prohibits mining activities in water bodies.
“The illegal excavation and blasting operations, which encroach upon the dam water, amount to contempt of court,” said activist Ramesh Gauns, stating that he would formally report the issue to the chief engineer of Maharashtra’s Water Resources Department.
Gawas also raised alarm over the large-scale dumping of mud and stone near the water.
“During the monsoon, this dumped material will wash into the dam, increasing turbidity in the raw water. This contaminated water will then be supplied to Assonora water treatment plant, where even filters may not be effective in treating it,” he said.
Villagers of Khanyale, Dodamarg, have been on a hunger strike for the past eight days protesting the activities and have been demanding that the government shut down all stone quarries illegally operating in the region.
They told environmental activist Rajendra Kerkar, who visited the site, that quarry operators had parked heavy machinery dangerously close to the dam and have even constructed a road by dumping mud along the water’s edge.
Huts for workers have also been erected in the vicinity. Kerkar called for immediate intervention from the Goa government, warning that the continuous blasting posed a serious threat to the dam’s foundation.
“There is every possibility that tremors from the blasts could weaken the dam’s structure,” he said.
Gawas also criticised local Sawantwadi MLA Deepak Kesarkar and questioned Goa WRD
Minister Subhash Shirodkar’s recent statement that quarrying operations would not affect the dam as long as water levels remain low. Gawas urged Shirodkar to personally visit the site and assess the ground reality.
