Intermediaries Excavate Government-Owned Hillocks Under the Guise of Working on Private Farmland
Gopalpet: The situation in Polkepadu village, located in the Gopalpet mandal of Wanaparthy district, has become a cause for concern. Small hillocks within the village limits—such as ‘Mala Gutta’ and ‘Bapanoni Gutta’—along with other government-owned lands, are disappearing overnight. Allegations have surfaced that certain intermediaries, under the pretext of carrying out work on their own private (patta) lands, are excavating adjacent government-owned hillocks without any official authorization.
What is Happening There?
According to reports, JCBs and tipper trucks have been operating continuously for the past few months near the government-owned hillocks on the outskirts of Polkepadu. Villagers allege that while the individuals claim to be excavating soil from their own private fields, they are, in fact, razing entire hillocks that stand in their way. It is reported that they are profiting by selling the excavated soil, earth, and gravel, with each tipper-load fetching between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000.
Are There Any Permits?
Under the regulations set by the Department of Mines and Geology, any excavation of a hillock or the removal of soil requires mandatory clearances from the Mandal Tahsildar, mining officials, and environmental authorities. However, it appears that the excavations taking place in Polkepadu are entirely unauthorized. Even in the case of private (patta) land, excavation is permitted only to a limited extent and strictly for agricultural purposes. However, villagers lament that the hills are being excavated illegally for commercial purposes.
Irreparable Damage to Nature
Excavating these hills poses a serious risk of depleting groundwater levels. Environmentalists warn that without the hills—which help capture and retain rainwater—the village will inevitably face a severe water crisis. Furthermore, the movement of heavy vehicles is causing extensive damage to village roads, while the resulting dust and pollution are leading to health issues among the residents.
What Are the Authorities Doing?
Villagers are demanding that the local Tahsildar and mining officials intervene, conduct an immediate investigation, and put an end to these illegal excavations. Although officials claim that strict action will be taken against unauthorized mining, there are concerns that the digging continues unabated on the ground. Who is behind these illegal excavations? Under whose patronage is this activity thriving? We urge the authorities to conduct an immediate survey, protect government lands, and register cases against those responsible for these illicit operations.
