SC suspends mining activities in 2 more districts of K'taka

After Bellary, mining operations of two other districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga in Karnataka were today suspended by the Supreme Court which said that balance has to be struck between economic development and environment, reports CNBC-TV18's Mehak Kasbekar.

A three-judge forest bench headed by Chief Justice SH Kapadia gave the order on a recommendation by its expert panel for halting extraction of iron ores in Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka.
The apex court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had in its recommendation to the bench on August 19, said that the mining operation was going on recklessly and in an environmentally unsustainable manner with the prime objective to exploit the iron ore mines merely for short term gains.
The Committee, in its report had said there was loss of forest land due to illegal mining of iron ore in 2678 hectare in Tumkur and Chitradurga which had been witnessing excessive, illegal mining.
"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 had 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 of Chitradurga.
The Committee, in its latest report, said there was loss of forest land due to illegal mining of iron ore in 2678 hectares in Tumkur and Chitradurga which witnessed excessive production compared to the size of lease.
The report gave findings of about 55 mining leases in Tumkur and about 18 mining leases in 687 hectares 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 were overburdened and working pits were outside the leased areas. The construction of the road without approval has led to loss of forest cover".
In a relief to steel industry which has been affected due to ban on supply of iron ore, the bench said that it would allow release of the raw material for the industry in the state and sought response on their requirement.
"The question is how much quantity could be released from the existing stock of 25 million tonnes of iron ore so that the steel industry is not starved.
"We have requested the Amicus Curiae and Attorney General to submit to this Court the quantity which could be released from the existing stock of 25 million tonnes of iron ore, subject to reclamation and rehabilitation plan(s) being submitted," it said.
The bench posted the matter for further hearing on September 2. Also watch the accompanying video for more details.