Noted environmentalist and former secretary GOI, Dr. EAS Sarma urged the state government to stop proposed laterite mining near the well-preserved Buddhist at Kodavali East Godavari district. The site located on a hillock is facing a threat of destruction following the official clearance for mining. The NOC(No Objection Certificate) given by local Gollaprolu MRO has been strongly opposed by the Adivasi farmers who have been cultivating the land for decades. Buddhists from across the state have urged the state not to go ahead with the mining operation as the site is as close as 350 meters from the proposed mining site.
Against this backdrop, Dr. Sarma wrote to Sameer Sharma, chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh on the need to preserve the precious historical site. Following is the text of the letter Dr. Sarma wrote to the CS.
(EAS Sarma)
The Kodavali Buddhist site is in Gollaprolu Mandal of East Godavari district in AP. It is perhaps under the administrative control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
This site has immense heritage value and the archaeological remains as seen in the pictures shown in the news reports are in a well-preserved state.
Laterite mining will not only taint the remains but also threaten the stability of the structures.
EAS Sarma
There is large-scale illegal laterite mining going on in the State on which I have written numerous times to the State government without any response.
There is collusion among the different departments of the State including the Mines Dept and the Revenue Dept. In the instant case, it appears that the mining company has obtained an irregular NOC to get a mining lease. It is possible, as usual, that mining is going on over a much larger area than permitted. In any case, an investigation should be ordered to ascertain the circumstances under which laterite mining has been allowed near the Buddhist site.
It is ironic that the local people are agitating against the mining activity, while the officers are in collusion with the mining company!
Kindly intervene urgently, lest the invaluable Buddhist site should get damaged heavily.
