Illegal stone blasting poses serious threat to humans & wildlife in Dhenkanal, officials in deep slumber

Illegal blasting and exploration of stones continue unabated in Dhenkanal’s Jagannathpur village under Parjang block, thanks to the negligent attitude of the officials concerned. Despite repeated complaints, the district administration is in deep slumber, risking the lives of hundreds of villagers, flora and fauna, and other living beings in the area.

The stone blasting goes on with much impunity violating government norms. The situation is so bad that houses have started developing cracks in Jagannathpur village. There isn’t a single house that has a roof, wall, tiles or asbestos without cracks, leading to restlessness and panic among the villagers here.

Irate locals have attributed their plight to the illegal stone blasting and blamed the district administration for failing to curb the illegal activity.

“For the last two years, the stone blasting here has been running illegally. Most of the houses have developed cracks due to the dynamite blasts, stone blasting and use of other explosives. We cannot even sleep due to the blast sounds. When we try to talk to the company, they are threatening the villagers,” alleged a local.

Likewise another local stated, “We do not have our own house. We have availed a house under the Indira Awas Yojana. Now, even our houses have developed cracks due to the illegal stone blasting here. Even cows and other domestic cattle are dying because of the pollution caused due to the illegal stone blasting.”

“Despite repeated complaints, they are continuing the illegal stone blast. They are threatening us with dire consequences if we open our mouths,” alleged another local.

Not just domestic animals, the stone quarry has posed serious threats to wild animals, especially elephants that often stray into the area in search of food. Elephants often fall into the pits caused due to stone quarries and lose their lives, locals alleged.

When contacted, Parjang tehsildar said that he would launch a probe into the incident and attract the attention of the Mining Department.