Karnataka government suspends Sandur land transfer for mining
- In Reports
- 11:39 AM, Jun 24, 2024
- Myind Staff
Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre announced that the government has suspended the transfer of forest land in Ballari’s Sandur taluk to Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) for mining operations. This decision comes in response to protests from environmentalists concerned about the ecological impact of the proposed mining activities.
Khandre issued a directive to officials, instructing them to refrain from transferring any forest land to KIOCL. This decision follows approval from Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy just a week ago, allowing KIOCL to commence mining activities in the forest area near Sandur. The public sector undertaking had proposed mining operations on 401.5 hectares of forest land located in the Devadari forest within the Swamimalai block near Sandur.
Khandre stated in his letter that there are complaints regarding KIOCL's failure to implement the directions of the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) within the stipulated time. These complaints relate to violations observed during the company's mining activities in the Kudremukh National Forest. The CEC was established following a Supreme Court case that alleged KIOCL's open-cast mining operations had caused pollution in the Bhadra river.
The decision to halt the land transfer was made following a meeting chaired by Khandre, aimed at addressing environmental concerns linked to the proposed mining operations. Speaking to the media, Khandre highlighted that granting permission for mining would result in the felling and destruction of 99,330 trees. He emphasised that such extensive deforestation would exacerbate issues like soil erosion and flooding in the region.
KIOCL had initially applied for mining in the Devadari forest area in Sandur on March 16, 2018. Providing an update on the developments, Khandre noted that objections to this application were filed by the nodal officer on July 27, 2018.
On February 18, 2020, the forest department communicated its stance to the government concerning the proposed mining activities in the area. This stance was based on assessments by forest department officials and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), who reported that mining would cause significant destruction to the natural forest and adversely affect water sources and their flow. Khandre underscored their recommendation that mining should not be permitted in the area.
Khandre stated that on October 9, 2020, the previous government disregarded officials' objections and proposed to the Central government for stage one approval for mining. The Government of India granted stage one approval on June 24, 2021, under specific conditions. KIOCL subsequently received a second approval on April 11, 2023, with further conditions, including the settlement of fines related to previous mining projects in the Kudremukh National Park and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Environmental activists and local communities are deeply concerned about the mining project's potential impact on biodiversity and local weather patterns, according to Sreeahaila Aladahalli of Samaja Parivarthana Samuday. Activists have protested the revival of mining operations in Sandur following endorsement by HD Kumaraswamy.
The clearance granted to KIOCL and Vijayanagar Steel Limited (VISL) to start mining in the biodiverse region in 2023 has sparked intense debate and criticism from environmentalists. Despite assurances from Kumaraswamy and KIOCL on environmental safeguards, opposition to the project remains strong.
Environmentalists, including Santosh Martin, highlight that the region earmarked for mining encompasses a mix of deciduous and scrub forests, supporting endangered species like the four-horned antelope and unique plants such as Crotalaria sandoorensis. Martin emphasised that the loss of habitat could endanger these species further, noting the historical tiger presence in the area. The region's diverse wildlife, including tarantulas, also contributes to its unique ecological balance.
Image source: Hindustan Times
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