Karnataka says no to mining in Sandur forest land despite Centre's approval

Karnataka Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Sunday (June 23) said he has ordered his department not to hand over about 401 hectares of forest land in Ballari's Sandur taluk to Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd for mining.

The minister cited violations by Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd (KIOCL) in the past, failure on its part to pay fine dues to the department, and the need for it to comply with certain conditions.

“KIOCL needs to comply with certain conditions, I have ordered that until the conditions are complied with, 401.5761 hectares of forest land should not be handed over to them (KIOCL) for mining,” Khandre said.

On PM's 100-day agenda

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said, “It is forest department land, it is the property of the state government, without our permission they cannot do mining there.” Union Minister for Steel HD Kumaraswamy had recently given his approval to KIOCL to operationalise the Devadari Iron Ore Mine.

Also stating that the Devadari project is on the prime minister's 100-day agenda, Kumaraswamy had instructed officials to work diligently in this regard and said mining should be started as soon as possible.

However, there have been concerns from various quarters including the public that about 99,000 trees would be felled if KIOCL is permitted to conduct iron ore mining in the Devadari forest area of Sandur taluk.

Noting that the KIOCL on March 16, 2018 had submitted an application for mining in Devadari forest area in Sandur, Khandre listing out development so far said, on July 27, 2018 the nodal officer had filed objections to it.

Threat to natural forest

On February 18, 2020, the forest department had submitted a letter to the government informing about its stand regarding the mining in the area, based on the department officials and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests' (PCCF) opinion and report that mining will cause severe destruction to the natural forest, also water sources and their flow, hence the mining should not be allowed, he said.

However, on October 9, 2020, the then government through its Additional Chief Secretary Forest, Ecology and Environment Department had set aside the opinion expressed by the officials, and submitted a proposal to the Central government regarding giving approval for mining - stage one, Khandre said.

On June 24, 2021, the Government of India with certain conditions had given its approval for stage one. He said, “As per conditions net present value of Rs 32 crore has to be paid, which they (KIOCL) have already paid towards the CAMPA fund, they have paid Rs 147 crore for compensatory afforestation and Rs 1.82 crore for safety zone plantation -- a total of Rs 194 crore has been paid to CAMPA fund at the Centre, out of which 90 per cent will be paid to the state.”

Subsequently, KIOCL got second stage approval too. The minister said, “As per the government order that followed dated April 11, 2023, there were certain conditions put forward. KIOCL is yet to pay the fine amount to the forest department in connection with their earlier various mining projects in the national park (at Kudremukh), also there were several violations by it, and they need to comply with certain conditions.”

(With agency inputs)