PaperDabba News Desk: July 17, 2024
The Andhra Pradesh government has halted the ongoing destruction of Red Mud Hills amidst growing criticism. Immediate orders have been issued to stop all excavations in the area.
Clarification on Excavation Permissions
The government has directed the Visakhapatnam Collector to submit a detailed report on who granted permission for the excavations and the reasons behind them. Recognizing the Red Mud Hills as a geological heritage site, the government aims to address the concerns raised by opposition parties.
Geological Heritage
The Red Mud Hills, extensively spread in the Bheemili constituency, are a significant geological heritage. However, recently, many have been excavating this mud for real estate purposes. The government has now intervened, ordering an immediate halt to these activities.
Significant Investigation
Excavators claim they have the necessary permissions. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has ordered a thorough investigation and asked the Joint Collector to submit a report. Joint Collector Mayur Ashok promptly visited the area and preliminarily concluded that the excavations were against regulations.
Prominent Orders
After visiting the excavation site, the Joint Collector identified that the excavations violated granted permissions and ordered them to be stopped. A unique feature of these Red Mud Hills is their ability to absorb rainfall into the ground, highlighting their environmental importance.
Past Disputes
In 1982, the Bheemunipatnam Aided Co-operative Building Society was allocated land, which included the Red Mud Hills. This led to a dispute that eventually reached the Supreme Court, which ruled in favour of the housing society. In 2021, the YSRCP government restricted the Red Mud Hills to just 120 acres, sparking further controversy.
The AP government’s immediate suspension of the Red Mud Hill excavations and the call for a detailed report signify their proactive steps in addressing the environmental and regulatory concerns.
