The temple, a centuries-old place of worship and pilgrimage, sits atop a limestone plateau that has recently been targeted for unauthorized excavation, raising serious concerns over heritage protection and religious sanctity.
The Kalka Devi Mandir, dedicated to the Kali Devi, is located in a natural cave near the ancient city of Aror. Per Hindu mythology Kali appeared here during her pilgrimage to the Hinglaj Mata Mandir in the Hub district of Balochistan near Karachi.
In response to the violation, the Mines and Mineral Development Department has revoked a 124-acre mining lease in the Rohri limestone belt. The leaseholder’s premises near the temple have been sealed by the Deputy Director Mines Sukkur and the Assistant Commissioner Rohri, effectively halting further damage to the site.
Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah has taken strict notice of the incident and ordered immediate legal action against those responsible for the unlawful hill cutting. He emphasized that the sanctity of religious sites must be preserved at all costs and directed all relevant departments to maintain vigilant oversight of the area to prevent future violations.
The Chief Secretary’s intervention follows growing concern among civil society and minority communities over the unchecked exploitation of land surrounding sacred sites. Officials have been instructed to ensure that mining activities in sensitive zones are subject to rigorous scrutiny and that any breach is met with swift administrative and legal consequences.