Bengaluru: Vruksha Foundation has made a serious allegation that permission has been provided for stone mining in the Bannerghatta National Park Security Zone near Ragi Halli, violating rules and regulations.

The foundation has handed over a formal complaint to Union Minister for Environment Dr. Harshavardhana in this regard, on Saturday.

Vijay Nishanth of the foundation said, “Stone mining is going on in Ragi Halli. Moreover, the owners gave false information when they submitted an application for the stone crushing unit. They informed that there is no forest in this area and the officials sanctioned permission without verifying the claim.”

National Park area has been covered around the quarry. This is just beside the elephant corridor. When it is reviewed based on latitude- longitude, this area is in National Park Security Zone itself, he said adding that the quarrying has been going on unperturbed here posing threats to wild animals.

“Harohalli-Anekal connection road breaks Elephant corridor. A proposal has been finalized to develop the road into four-ways. For this kind of project, permission of the National Wildlife Board is a must. But, they didn’t bring that issue to my notice,” Nishanth complained.

Deputy Forest Officer (DFO) Javid Mumtaz has clarified that the Forest Department didn’t give any permission for stone mining in National Park zone.