Dharwad
NGO Samaj Parivartan Samudaya (SPS), Jan Sangram Parishat, and National Committee for Protection of Natural Resources have urged Justice B Sudarshan Reddy, appointed Oversight Authority of Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC), to recommend cancellation of mining leases to KIOCL, VISL, and SAIL in Sandur taluk, Ballari district.
In a letter to the Oversight Authority, SPS and others pointed out that the Supreme Court, in its March 14, 2024 order, directed the Oversight Authority to submit a joint report by July 14, 2024. SPS convenor SR Hiremath and JSP leader Deepak stated on Monday that mining leases granted to KIOCL for 450 hectares, leading to the felling of over 99,000 trees in Swamimalai block (Deodar village) of Kumarswamy Range, and to SAIL/VISL for 60.7 hectares, resulting in the felling of over 29,000 trees in Ramalai block of Ramanadurga range in Sandur Taluk, Ballari district, would cause significant destruction of biodiversity.
SPS had filed a PIL against leasing forest area for mining, resulting in the apex court ordering lease cancellations. Hiremath appreciated Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre’s directive to the Additional Chief Secretary to refrain from signing KIOCL’s mining lease and handing over forest land.
