The Supreme Court appointed team to study the impact of mining on environment in Bellary has found violation of rules by those engaged in mining. "Some violations are there definitely. The District Deputy Commissioner told us that illegal mining had happened. Now it has been stopped under an order of Supreme Court," Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) Director General Dr V K Bahuguna,heading the 18-member team,told reporters here. "I cannot say anything now. Our mandate is to do scientific assessment of impact on mining on livelihood. We feel the mining activity has impacted livelihood in Bellary," he said. The Committee has three months time to submit its findings to the court and has sought list of maps of mining area,number of sanctioned mines,how many mines were operational and the number of illegal mines,Bahuguna said. The report of the committee will be based on authentic data,he said,adding several organisations and stake holders called on the committee which has been on its visit in parts of Bellary district since last week. "Nobody is opposing blanket ban on mining and wanted it to go on scientifically. No illegal mining should be there,people say",he said. The committee after its visit to Sandur,Hospet and Bellary will be going to Chitradurga and Tumkur for a similar study,he said.
