SC suspends mining activities in 2 more districts of Karnataka

New Delhi, Aug 26 (PTI) After Bellary, mining operations
of two other districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga in south
Indian state Karnataka were Friday suspended by the Indian
Supreme Court which said that balance has to be struck between
economic development and environment.
A three-judge forest bench headed by Chief Justice S H
Kapadia turned down the plea of some mining companies of
Bellary for allowing them to carry on their operations and
indicated that the suspension will continue till a proper
rehabilitation scheme for the area is placed before it.
It asked all the mining companies to form an association
and sit with Attorney General G E Vahanvati and Amicus Curie
Shyam Divan, who is assisting the court to propose the scheme
on how mining should be conducted in the area in a scientific
manner so that further damage to environment could be
prevented.
"On going through the Report of Central Empowered
Committee (CEC), we extend the order passed by this Court on
July 29, 2011, to the mining leases in districts Tumkur and
Chitradurga. Consequently, pending further orders, there will
be a ban on mining in districts Tumkur and Chitradurga," the
bench, also comprising Justices Aftab Alam and Swatanter Kumar
said.
The court passed the order after going through CEC report
which recommended the halting of extraction of iron ores in
the districts.

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.