Is Telangana sitting on a bed of diamonds?

Hyderabad(Agency);Drought-hit Mahbubnagar district of Telangana could appear as another Golconda which occupies a unique position in the world of diamonds.The Golconda region is known for the mines that have produced some of the world's most famous gems, including the Koh-i-Noor, the Hope Diamond and the Nassak Diamond.Actually, Golkonda was the market city for diamond trade, where gems were brought from a number of mines to be sold.Geologist, however, said that branding the Krishna valley diamonds as Golconda diamonds resulted in depriving the Guntur-Vijayawada area the credit of being the land of the legendary diamonds, and in glorifying Golconda which was about 300 km away from the mining scene.As per Times of India report, researchers from the Centre of Exploration Geophysics, Osmania University, have found as many as 21 new potential



diamond zones in Mahbubnagar.The report further claimed that there have been several studies on the diamond potentiality of Mahbubnagar in the past, but this is the first time that about two dozen zones have been identified.Some media reports also say apart from the locals, several enthusiasts from neighboring districts are also said to be testing their luck by participating in the ‘diamond hunt’.And the presence of diamonds in the area has also brought in teams of scientists from the US and Australia to study the phenomenon, apart from several foreign firms to undertake excavations.Meanwhile, the police who are aware of the annual diamond hunt by the villagers have chosen to turn a blind eye to the same — apparently happy with the ‘mamool’ paid to them by the hunters or as some officials believe, it is just rumour and nothing else.