Though the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has extended the mining lease, which lapsed on July 29, the MoEF, while issuing the temporary working permit, ruled out any commitment on the part of the Centre for final approval to extend the lease. In the first place, the Centre has granted temporary working permission only in the already broken up area of 1452 hectares for either a period of one year or until a final notification for Kudremukh Nationmal Park has been issued, whichever comes first. The Centre has also directed the State to finalise the process of final notification of the KNP during this period. The Survey of India will be conducting a survey and demarcating the boundaries of the KNP.

Meanwhile, following the Centre's direction, the Kudremukh Wildlife Division DeputyConservator of Forests Madhu Sharma has warned KIOCL against breaking up any fresh areas at Kudremukh. ``The boundary of broken area will be demarcated immediately on the ground, and pillars be erected. A map of this will be prepared and signed by KIOCL and forest department officials. The cost of the survey and the erection of the pillars will be borne by the KIOCL,'' Madhu Sharma stated.