Amarpali: Illegal mining and smuggling of precious gemstones from Rishimuni Hill, locally known as Rushimuni Parbata, near Telipali village under Kenjhariapali panchayat in Subarnapur district, have allegedly been going on for the past six months, with villagers estimating that gemstones worth Rs 15-16 crore have been extracted and smuggled out.
The alleged illegal activity has not only resulted in the loss of valuable mineral resources but is also causing extensive damage to the hill’s green cover and ecological balance.
Residents have expressed strong resentment over the alleged inaction of the authorities despite the operations continuing for months.
According to villagers, attempts to mine gemstones from the hill were made last year but were stopped following strong protests by local residents.
However, the activity reportedly resumed this year, with groups of labourers visiting the hill daily and extracting gemstones using crowbars and spades.
Gemstone traders are accused of engaging labourers on daily wages and purchasing the stones at throwaway prices before transporting them outside the district.
Villagers said heavy machinery, including excavators, had earlier been used for similar operations at other locations.
However, those involved have allegedly switched to manual excavation to avoid attracting the attention of enforcement officials and evade raids.
The hill, which is home to valuable trees such as sal, piasal, sisoo and teak, has long been protected by Telipali residents.
Continuous excavation is now threatening the local forest ecosystem, with several large trees reportedly tilting and falling as soil around their roots is removed to extract gemstones.
Gourishankar Sahu, president of the Telipali village management committee, alleged that gemstones were being extracted openly in broad daylight, damaging trees and the surrounding environment.
Despite repeated complaints to the authorities, no effective action had been taken, he said, estimating that gemstones worth Rs 15-16 crore had already been looted.
Villagers said they had complained to the then Biramaharajpur Range Officer last year, but no official visited the site.
According to Sahu, the officer had reportedly maintained that the hill did not fall under forest land and that the Revenue Department would take necessary action.
A villager, who requested anonymity, alleged that the gemstones had considerable demand outside Odisha.
Traders were reportedly buying them from labourers at low prices and transporting them to Jaipur in Rajasthan via Kantabanji.
The alleged involvement of influential people in the racket has also discouraged residents from speaking openly, he said.
When contacted, Bira Kishore Tirkey, in-charge Deputy Director of the Mines Department’s Balangir circle, said a team would be sent to investigate the allegations.
A joint team of the Revenue and Mines departments would conduct a raid at the site and examine the alleged illegal operations