Sun Feb 02 06:50:00 IST 2025: ## Singareni Collieries to Resume Coal Mining Near Ramappa Temple Despite Concerns

**Warangal, Telangana:** Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is set to resume open-cast coal mining near Palampet village, Mulug district, after a three-year hiatus. The project, initially halted due to local opposition following the Ramappa Temple’s UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, will involve excavating 19 years. The company claims four independent studies, including those by IIT Surat and IIT Madras, demonstrate that blasting operations will not harm the temple. These studies indicate that vibrations from the mine would be insignificant at the temple’s location. An air pollution study also found no significant environmental impact.

However, this conclusion is disputed. A Geological Survey of India (GSI) study warns that blasting could negatively impact the temple due to the lack of a cut-off trench in its foundation, potentially leading to water infiltration. Forest officials also express concerns about the project’s impact on the region’s biodiversity, green cover, and wildlife, questioning whether necessary approvals from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Conservation Agencies have been obtained. The project requires acquiring significant forest and agricultural land, with no clear plan for land reclamation.

Environmentalists and heritage lovers strongly oppose the project, citing potential air, water, and soil pollution that could damage the temple and its surrounding ecosystem. They highlight the risk to rare plant species, including the endangered ‘Chapa Bariga Teega.’ The Kakatiya Heritage Trust (KHT) worries that the mine could activate underground water channels, destabilizing the temple and the nearby Ramappa lake. The KHT has appealed to various government bodies to review the project’s potential impact. The district forest officer stated that the forest department is unaware of the project and hasn’t received any proposals from SCCL. The situation remains contentious, with significant debate over the project’s environmental and heritage implications.

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