Is Kupari's Heritage at Risk? Illegal Quarrying Threatens Cultural Landscape
The Deteriorating Landscape of Kupari
The Kupari region, falling under the Khaira police jurisdiction in Balasore district, is facing a significant loss of its cultural and natural heritage due to suspected illegal mining activities targeting laterite and stone. Once celebrated for its fertile soil and rich cultural history, the area is now marred by extensive pits, ponds, and abandoned quarries. Locations along the Kupari-Bageipura road, including Barapada, Kalamchua, Haripur, and Sarasbahali, showcase numerous new and deserted quarries, alarming local residents while seemingly escaping the notice of local authorities. Even government-owned and adjacent agricultural lands have been transformed into mining sites. Activists and community organizations are sounding the alarm, warning that without prompt action from the state government, the ongoing illegal mining—reportedly supported by corrupt officials and criminal elements—could irreparably damage Kupari's legacy.
Historically, Kupari has been a meeting point for Buddhist, Jain, and Shaivite traditions, with many poets and scholars having praised its rich heritage. However, the current situation is driven by greed, as individuals engage in illegal extraction of laterite, murram, and stones, depleting natural resources for personal gain at the expense of the environment.
Residents claim that after depleting government lands of laterite, mining mafias purchase farmers' properties at undervalued prices and continue their illegal operations. Despite this, the relevant departments—Mines, Housing, and Revenue—have reportedly failed to take effective action against these activities. Although there have been minor interventions, such as the confiscation of tractors and earthmovers, these efforts have proven largely ineffective.
Recently, in the vicinity of Kupari College, where land has been designated for a small-scale industrial project by IDCO, mafia groups have been reportedly extracting laterite almost nightly. Specific plots, including Plot No. 520 under Khata No. 796 and Plot Nos. 800 and 785 under Khata No. 486, among others in Barapada mouza, are allegedly being exploited for illegal mining. When approached for comment, Assistant Mining Officer Abhisek Behera stated that raids are being conducted on certain illegal sites.
However, he acknowledged that offenders often manage to escape before authorities arrive. "Vehicles apprehended on-site—whether power tillers or tractors—are being seized according to protocol," he explained. Meanwhile, environmental advocates are calling for immediate and stringent enforcement measures to prevent Kupari from becoming a cautionary example of unregulated resource exploitation.