Team Goemkarponn
VALPOI: Illegal laterite quarrying in Sattari taluka has once again come under the spotlight, with operations continuing unhindered even during the monsoon season, posing serious risks to the environment, public safety, and forest wealth.
Local residents have expressed alarm that despite repeated complaints, government authorities—including the Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar, police officials, and Talathis of Sattari taluka—have allegedly turned a blind eye to the issue. Citizens allege that large-scale destruction of forests and pollution of rivers is taking place, while the official machinery remains passive.
According to reports, illegal laterite extraction is taking place in several villages across gram panchayat areas including Ambeli, Malpan, Gavane, Kankire, Paikul, Nagargaon, Patwal, Morle Colony, and Vante. In many of these locations, big trees have been felled to clear land for quarrying. Residents warn that the practice is severely damaging the local ecology.
The situation worsens during the rains, as muddy runoff from the quarries pollutes nearby water bodies and floods public roads, disrupting traffic and leading to accidents. Citizens point out that the operations resumed merely eight days after the Mines Department conducted raids, raising doubts about the effectiveness of enforcement.
While machinery worth lakhs has been seized in previous raids, residents claim that operators quickly resume quarrying, treating government action as a mere eyewash. Locals also allege misuse of government land for quarrying activities, demanding immediate intervention from Chief Minister and Minister of Mines, Dr. Pramod Sawant.
“The government must take strong action and stop this destructive activity before more damage is done to our forests and rivers,” residents said, urging the state to enforce strict penalties and permanently shut down illegal operations.
