Activists are expressing concerns following the Union government’s recent authorization for continuous operations of conveyor belt transport systems within forested regions to facilitate the transportation of iron ore. These activists are urging the authorities to personally inspect the affected sites in order to grasp the potential consequences of such a ruling.
In a move where the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change gave the green light to JSW Steel Ltd’s proposal for utilizing 4.06 acres of forest land to establish a conveyor belt corridor, the decision also entails the allowance of round-the-clock operation for the conveyor belt in Sandur, a region located in Ballari.
Conveyor belts have been lauded as an environmentally conscious substitute to trucks for transporting ores or minerals, aiming to curtail forest impact and lower transportation expenses. Nevertheless, findings from a study conducted by the Environment Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) suggest that the wildlife has borne adverse consequences due to this practice.
A previous provision, established by an expert committee in 2018, had imposed limitations on conveyor belt operations, confining them to the period “from sunset to sunrise.” This stipulation was recently revised, permitting round-the-clock operation. In June of this year, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) advised the state forest department in Sandur to permit uninterrupted mining activities, following recommendations for implementing mitigation strategies.
The operational timeframe for the conveyor belt, established by M/s JSW Steel Ltd., has been extended to 24 hours, contingent upon the implementation of mitigation measures…
Former principal chief conservator of forests, R K Singh, conducted the EMPRI study when the government initially permitted the belt system’s operation until 2 am, allowing a 20-hour trial period.
The study revealed that within a 100-meter radius of the conveyor belt, noise levels reached 90 decibels, while areas up to 250 meters away recorded 40-50 decibels, equivalent to nighttime suburban noise. The study emphasized the significant impact of extended operations on nocturnal animals.
Sreeshaila Aladahalli, an activist based in Sandur, expressed disappointment in both the central environment ministry and the state’s forest officials for their perceived failure to safeguard Sandur’s remaining natural environment.
“The EMPRI study unequivocally demonstrates the conveyor belt generating noise levels of up to 50 decibels. This poses a major disturbance to wildlife. Despite these findings, the Union government appears resolute in endorsing operations that imperil the integrity of the natural environment,” Aladahalli stated.
Aladahalli, a prominent figure in the battle against the mining scam, lamented the transformation of Sandur’s green belt into a dust-laden expanse over the past twenty years.
“While on paper, 4 acres of forest may seem inconsequential, its impact on wildlife is substantial due to nocturnal operations, which could fragment habitats. The once-abundant forests have already suffered severe depletion. Safeguarding our current semblance of the natural environment is an urgent necessity,” he stressed.