Forest Department has raised red flag over deep bore blasting for metal excavation in buffer area of Bor Tiger Reserve. Taking cognisance of the letter written in this regard by Range Forest Officer (RFO) of Hingna, the district administration has decided to initiate action against those found violating the norms. A S Ninawe, RFO of Hingna, paid a visit to the area in Mouza Kawdas in Hingna Forest Range where metal excavation was in progress. According to Ninawe’s letter to the District Collector, a blasting machine was found on the spot and some bores also were found indicating that blasting was being done for quarrying. Given the situation, he requested the District Collector to initiate legal action against the violators of norms under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

 

Ravindra Thakare, District Collector, said that he had taken cognisance of the issue. “We will initiate action on Sunday, if the situation is found to be so as mentioned in the RFO’s letter,” he said. The district administration always took care that such instances did not take place. Before sanctioning mining plan, the district administration co-ordinates with various agencies like Forest Department, MPCB etc, he added. As per Ninawe’s letter, the 3.20 hectare farmland where blasting was being done for metal excavation, was in the buffer area of Bor Tiger Reserve.

 

The official of the area concerned had informed the RFO on September 17, 2020 also about blasting being done to excavate metal. According to Ninawe, the permission by the district administration for metal quarrying in the area in February 2018 specifically mentioned that blasting could not be done without prior permission of the competent authority. Besides, the permission clearly stated about ‘no use of explosive for excavation’. Despite this, blasting was being done to extract metal, he added. The RFO sent a copy of the letter to District Mining Officer and Sub-Divisional Officer of Nagpur (Rural) requesting them to conduct measurement of the mining done and ‘order enquiry into illegal excavation and blasting’.