Enforcement team probes illegal mining in Sundargarh | Bhubaneswar News
Rourkela: A nine-member enforcement team from the mines department concluded a two-day investigation into illegal mining activities in the Koida forest range of Bonai sub-division, Sundargarh district, on Tuesday.
The team, comprising two deputy directors of mines, one deputy director of geology, a junior mining officer, and five police officials, investigated the alleged theft of manganese and iron ore in various forest locations. The investigation follows recent media reports about illegal mining activities in the region.
According to sources, the team, acting on directions from the director of mines & geology, Odisha, inspected several areas, including Sanputli, Rusibenua, Kalmang, and Patabena in the Koida forest range. They were accompanied by Koida deputy director of mines Asit Behera, forest range officer Prasanna Pradhan, and revenue inspector Udhab Pradhan.
The team measured multiple extraction pits and directed the revenue inspector to identify whether the affected areas fell under revenue or reserve forest categories. Reports suggest illegal mining activities worth crores of rupees have been ongoing in Patmunda, Malda, Panposhi, and Kenabheta for years.
‘I was present with other officials to assist the enforcement team during their two-day investigation in the forests under the Koida forest range,” said Udhab Pradhan, revenue inspector, Patmunda. Prior to this, the same team had conducted a separate two-day investigation into illegal coal mining and smuggling in Hemgir block.
The team, comprising two deputy directors of mines, one deputy director of geology, a junior mining officer, and five police officials, investigated the alleged theft of manganese and iron ore in various forest locations. The investigation follows recent media reports about illegal mining activities in the region.
According to sources, the team, acting on directions from the director of mines & geology, Odisha, inspected several areas, including Sanputli, Rusibenua, Kalmang, and Patabena in the Koida forest range. They were accompanied by Koida deputy director of mines Asit Behera, forest range officer Prasanna Pradhan, and revenue inspector Udhab Pradhan.
The team measured multiple extraction pits and directed the revenue inspector to identify whether the affected areas fell under revenue or reserve forest categories. Reports suggest illegal mining activities worth crores of rupees have been ongoing in Patmunda, Malda, Panposhi, and Kenabheta for years.
‘I was present with other officials to assist the enforcement team during their two-day investigation in the forests under the Koida forest range,” said Udhab Pradhan, revenue inspector, Patmunda. Prior to this, the same team had conducted a separate two-day investigation into illegal coal mining and smuggling in Hemgir block.
