Jashpur. (10:04): Illegal stone mining continues unabated in Pandaripani Panchayat, following a similar case in village Balajhar under Pathalgaon tehsil.
Local middlemen are openly blasting mountains in the forests of Tamta, Balajhar, and Pandari Pani, with little intervention from responsible officials. This negligence breeds a sense of impunity, with villagers hesitant to report the activity on government land. Reports suggest that substantial stone-breaking operations occur daily, orchestrated by individuals like Ratan, who employ laborers from Jharkhand for the task. Profits are substantial, but at the cost of environmental degradation. Middlemen sell stones for 20 to 25 rupees apiece, clandestinely delivering them at night. Despite awareness, both administrative and governmental, no effective action has been taken, emboldening the perpetrators further.
