‘Open-Cast Mine May Also Impact 3-TMC Ramappa Lake’SHIVA KUMAR PINNAMulugu: A proposed open-cast coal mining project in Venkatapur mandal has triggered concerns among villagers, conservationists and heritage experts, who fear it could pose a threat to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple. The project has drawn strong objections from locals and heritage activists seeking to protect the historic monument and its surrounding ecosystem.In view of the objections raised by members of the Palampet Special Area Development Authority (PSDA) committee and the Kakatiya Heritage Trust (KHT), Mulugu district collector Hemant Sahadeorao Bhorkhade on Tuesday deferred the geo-tagging process related to the proposed mining project. The issue was discussed during a series of meetings held by the collector.Addressing the concerns, the collector said any decision on the project would be taken only after scientific and environmental assessments were completed. KHT convener and former professor M Panduranga Rao opposed the proposal, stating that open-cast mining near the heritage site could adversely affect the 3-TMC-capacity Ramappa Lake. He warned that blasting, drilling and the use of heavy machinery could endanger the lake, nearby villages and the historic temple.Rao urged the govt to withdraw the proposal, arguing that mining activities within a radius of about five kilometres from the lake could pose significant risks. Any damage to the lake’s structure could have serious consequences for downstream villages as well as the temple, he said.A meeting on the issue was attended by the district collector, SCCL Bhupalpally general manager A Rajeshwar Reddy, representatives of the KHT and members of the PSDA committee.According to stakeholders, SCCL had earlier secured permissions to extract an estimated 40.4 million tonnes of coal from the project area and obtained a 19-year mining lease. The company also acquired portions of land and paid compensation to landowners. However, the project involves 314 hectares of forest land and about 1,448 hectares of agricultural and govt-assigned land.Project proposals were submitted before July 2021, and mining operations were initially scheduled to begin in Dec that year. However, the Ramappa Temple was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 25, 2021, prompting residents of Palampet and surrounding villages to launch the “Save Ramappa” movement.Facing opposition from local communities and heritage activists, SCCL subsequently put the proposal on hold. With discussions on reviving the project resurfacing, villagers and farmers have renewed their campaign to protect the temple and its surrounding ecosystem. Locals have also announced plans for protests against the proposed mining activity.
