Samaj Parvarthan Samudaya (SPS), Jan Sangram Parishat (JSP), the National Committee for Protection of Natural Resources (NCPNR), and other groups have called on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Cabinet to reconsider the proposal for round-the-clock mining in Karnataka.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre, and Mines and Geology Minister S.S. Mallikarjun, SPS founder-president S.R. Hiremath urged the government not to permit 24×7 mining operations, including the transportation of iron and manganese ore, in the ecologically sensitive areas of Ballari, Sandur, and Hospet.
Mr. Hiremath highlighted that these regions, rich in biodiversity, would face irreversible ecological damage if mining activities were allowed non-stop. “The higher altitudes of Sandur are crucial for supporting unique flora and fauna. Rare and commercially valuable trees such as red sanders, sandalwood, rosewood, and teak thrive here, alongside endemic wildlife and bird species like the Red-whiskered Bulbul and Red Spur-fowl,” he wrote.
He also noted that nocturnal wildlife such as leopards, sloth bears, and jackals rely on the night for movement and access to food and water. Mining at night, he argued, would disrupt these patterns, drive animals into human settlements, and increase man-animal conflicts. The risk of wild animals being hit by heavy vehicles at night would also rise significantly.
Pointing to health concerns, Mr. Hiremath mentioned that dust from mining activities has led to respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and silicosis. Increased dust levels could harm crops and fruit-bearing plants, reducing agricultural yields and affecting farmers’ incomes.
The letter, endorsed by several like-minded organisations, urged the government to maintain the current mining schedule of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., allowing the ecosystem to recover and preventing further harm to biodiversity and human health.