SC panel against mining in 2 more Karnataka districts

After Bellary,the spotlight fell on the mining operations in its two adjoining districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga after the Central Empowered Committee.

After Bellary,the spotlight on Friday fell on the mining operations in its two adjoining districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga after the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) filed a report showing largescale and reckless iron ore mining there.

A three-judge Green Bench led by Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia sought a response of the Centre and the state government after the committee reported mining being conducted in an environmentally unsustainable manner for short-term private gains.

The committee said there was loss of forest land due to illegal mining of iron ore in 2,678 hectare in Tumkur and Chitradurga which witnessed illegal mining and excessive production compared to the size of lease.

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This courts 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.