Mangaluru: Following complaints from rock excavations which caused damage to the historic Sri Karinjeshwara temple in the Bantwal area and its surroundings, District Minister Dakshina Kannada V Sunil Kumar said that the three stone mines had been directed to stop all activities.
Three stone mine functions near the temple posing a threat not only to the temple, but also the villages of Kavalamudoor and Kavalapadoor.
“All units of three stone mines that function in and around the historic temple have been stopped.
Officials have been directed to ensure that there are no mining units operated in the area in the future,” Minister said to the media on Sunday.
Excavations have been carried out on Acre on two survey numbers in Kavalamudoor since 2007.
The owner is carrying out illegal excavation, by expanding the area to 3.3 hectares.
The mine and the geological department have slapped the fine of Rs 8,12,87,198 on the owner, and the mine was stopped in December 2021.
Personal cases have also been submitted against the owner, because of illegal excavation in Bantwal Court, he said.
A stone mine in another Acre in Kavalapadoor has begun in 2016.
Although the contractor has permission to extract for 20 years, the mine is suspended, after he allegedly violated the foundation of Gomala, the Minister said.
The government contemplates declaring the area around the Karinjeshwara temple as a very sensitive zone, based on the demands of worshipers.
This will be carried out gradually, after discussion at the government level, he said.
Recently, Hindu Jagarana Vedike has held a series of protests, demanding suspension of mining activities near historic temples.