Landslide at Nandi Hills near Bengaluru caused by illegal quarrying: activists

Bengaluru: Environmentalists claim that the Nandi Hills landslide near Bengaluru was caused by illegal stone crushing units operating in the region.

Stone quarrying units are said to be present at 100 locations near Nandi Hills.  “Unhindered construction activities in the guise of eco-tourism have also been taking its toll on the hills. Several trees have been cut for development work, resulting in soil erosion,” environmentalist Chidananda Murthy said.

Former Indian Forest Service officer A N Yellapa Reddy said that Nandi Hills is among the country’s oldest rock beds. Tourism should also be restricted here. But, the government does not care.

The government, however, maintains that the landslide was caused by heavy rain.