The government has halted the transfer of forest land in Ballari’s Sandur taluk to Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) for mining operations amid protests from environmentalists, announced forest, ecology, and environment minister Eshwar Khandre. This decision follows just a week after Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy approved KIOCL’s commencement of mining activities in the forest area near Sandur.
Khandre directed officials not to transfer any forest land to KIOCL, which had proposed mining on 401.5 hectares in the Devadari forest within the Swamimalai block near Sandur. “There are complaints that KIOCL failed to implement the centrally empowered committee (CEC)’s directions within the stipulated time regarding violations at Kudremukh National Forest,” Khandre stated, referencing a Supreme Court case about KIOCL’s past mining operations polluting the Bhadra river.
Following a meeting addressing environmental concerns, Khandre emphasized the significant impact of the proposed mining, including the felling of 99,330 trees, which could lead to soil erosion and flooding. He outlined that the forest department had opposed the mining based on the opinion of the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) and other officials, who cited severe destruction to the natural forest and water sources.
Despite this, the previous government submitted a proposal for approval to the Central government in October 2020. The Government of India granted stage one approval with conditions on June 24, 2021, and subsequent approval on April 11, 2023, with KIOCL yet to pay fines for previous violations.
Environmentalists and local communities are concerned about the potential biodiversity impact. Sreeahaila Aladahalli of the Samaja Parivarthana Samuday noted that mining could significantly affect local weather patterns and ecosystems. The region, recovering from past illegal mining activities, faces intense debate over the clearance granted to KIOCL and Vijayanagar Steel Limited (VISL) for mining activities.
Despite assurances from Kumaraswamy and KIOCL about environmental safeguards, opposition remains strong. Environmentalist Santosh Martin highlighted the area’s ecological significance, including endangered species like the four-horned antelope and the endemic plant Crotalaria Sandoorensis. He warned that the loss of habitat could further endanger these species and affect the unique ecological balance, including diverse wildlife such as tarantulas.