‘Open-Cast Mine May Also Impact 3-TMC Ramappa Lake’
KHT convener and former professor M Panduranga Rao opposed the proposal, stating that open-cast mining near the heritage site could adversely affect the 3-TMC-capacity Ramappa Lake. SCCL had earlier secured permissions to extract an estimated 40.4 million tonnes of coal from the project area and obtained a 19-year mining lease, according to stakeholders. However, the project involves 314 hectares of forest land and about 1,448 hectares of agricultural and govt-assigned land.
Locals have also announced plans for protests against the proposed mining activity.
Addressing the concerns, the collector said any decision on the project would be taken only after scientific and environmental assessments were completed. Any damage to the lake’s structure could have serious consequences for downstream villages as well as the temple, he said. Rao urged the govt to withdraw the proposal, arguing that mining activities within a radius of about five kilometres from the lake could pose significant risks. The company also acquired portions of land and paid compensation to landowners. Facing opposition from local communities and heritage activists, SCCL subsequently put the proposal on hold. With discussions on reviving the project resurfacing, villagers and farmers have renewed their campaign to protect the temple and its surrounding ecosystem.