Wallerfield forests destroyed by quarrying

AT FIRST glance, one might think that the scarred, cratered and denuded Wallerfield landscape resembles pictures of the surface on planet Mars, but this was not always so.

What was once pristine tropical forest has been devastated by the widespread quarrying activities of several mining companies operating in the region. This is just one of the complaints of residents from this agricultural area who believe that the quarried areas have become an eyesore. In addition, they said they have to endure scores of disease-carrying mosquitoes which breed within the stinking, stagnant water that has settled in huge, mined pit ponds over many years. As well, the area has become a site for the illegal dumping of all kinds of material, such as rotting wood, car parts and garbage.

According to one of the residents, known only as “Harry,” their once sleepy, rural area has become a popular haven for car thieves who strip down stolen vehicles in the dead of night and even during the daytime.  “There are a string of quarries that have been mining in the area for over ten years. The ownership of these quarries keeps changing hands from the legal owners to unscrupulous elements,” he said. The resident said these actions are resulting in car jackings in the area and that these elements are forcing legal landowners, like farmers, off their land. Harry said that the residents have complained to the authorities about the health situation for a number of years but nothing has been done about it or  the mining damage to the environment. He said there are no police patrols in the area.