Government Responds to The Demand of Protecting Karinjeshwara Temple: Bans Mining & Stone Crushing Nearby

There was a long time pending demands for the protection of the ancient Karinjeshwara Temple located atop Karinja hills in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. Residents have been demanding action by the government to stop stone-quarrying activities around the hillock as it was threatening the temple as well as the fragile environment in the region. Karinja is located at a distance of 36 km from Mangalore, off the Mangalore-Mudigere national highway. Nestled amidst forest areas, this hillock houses Karinjeshwara and Parvathi Amma Temples and has a beautiful pond at the base. Devotees have to climb a fleet of stairs carved on stones to reach both the temples.

The State government responds to the demand and bans all kinds of mining and stone-crushing activities within a 2-km radius of the Hills. In the notification issued by the Industries and Commerce Department, the government said the radius area has been earmarked for religious activities. Hence mining and stone-crushing activities will be barred from immediate effect and till further orders. The notification has been issued under Rule 8 (3) of the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1994.

Dakshina Kannada in-charge Minister V. Sunil Kumar visited the place on January 10 and directed then Deputy Commissioner K.V. Rajendra to submit a proposal for banning mining and quarrying activity in the vicinty of the temple.