SC panel recommends halting mining in two more Karnataka districts

The committee,in its latest report submitted to the apex court,said there was a loss of forest land due to illegal mining of iron ore in 2678 hectare in Tumkur and Chitradurga,which witnessed illegal mining and excessive production compared to the size of lease.

“This court’s July 29 order,by which the mining operations have been suspended (in Bellary),may be extended in respect of the mining leases in districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga,” the report said.

The report gave findings of about 55 mining leases in Tumkur and about 18 mining leases in 687 hectare of which 500 hectare lies in the forest land in Chitradurga.

The CEC report about Tumkur said,“During the site visit a number of mines overburdened and working pits were outside the leased area. The construction of the road without approval has led to loss of forest cover.”

The apex court panel said mining activities had been allowed in the area by treating those as non-forest land that has the characteristics of natural forest and qualify to be treated as deemed forest.

The air pollution caused by mining has adverse impact on horticulture and agriculture.

“The CEC is of the view that mining of iron ore in district Tumkur has been done in an environmentally unsustainable manner and without taking into consideration of inter-generational equity,large-scale illegalities and irregularities have taken place in matter of mining of iron ore. The mining is done in a reckless and irresponsible manner with the prime objective of over exploitation of iron ore for short-term private gains. Public interest has been completely disregarded,” the report said.

In Chitradurga district,it said there had been an environmental degradation and illegal mining.