Forest, Environment, and Ecology Minister Eshwar B. Khandre on Friday reaffirmed that Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) will be permitted to mine at Devadari in Sandur only if it complies with all regulations.
Khandre was responding to a calling-attention motion raised by Mangalore North MLA Dr. Bharath Shetty Y in the Legislative Assembly. Shetty urged the government to allow mining, citing that over 1,000 workers from Dakshina Kannada district were employed at the Devadari Iron Ore Mines in Sandur.
In response, Khandre pointed out that permission for mining was granted on December 16, 2022, with the condition that all rules be followed. He highlighted past violations by KIOCL, including the unauthorized use of 465.73 hectares of land for non-forestry purposes and the installation of a pipeline at Kudremukh National Park without approval. The company, he added, owes Rs 3,000 crore to the state government, including interest, for these violations. Mining will only be allowed once these issues are resolved.
Meanwhile, HD Kote MLA Anil Chikkamadhu raised concerns over restrictions on devotees visiting the Beladakuppe Mahadeshwara Swamy Temple in Mysuru district.
Addressing this, Khandre explained that the temple falls within the critical tiger core habitat of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. As per regulations, entry is restricted, and private vehicles are not permitted. However, arrangements have been made to allow devotees in batches of 500 using KSRTC buses.