Meera Bhardwaj:
Due to unbridled iron & manganese ore mining, Sandur has turned into a hellhole in the recent times. Despite people’s protests and appeals, Karnataka Government continues to accord permission for mining in virgin forest areas of Sandur taluk.
Two new mining projects one by KIOCL and another, SAIL (VISL) has raised enormous eco-concerns as it will involve felling of more than 1.3 lakh trees, severe environmental pollution and destruction of precious floral, medicinal and faunal species.
Meanwhile, KIOCL has managed to get Forest Clearance, Stage-II under FCA, 1980. On the other hand, SAIL-VISL has applied for Forest Clearance to the Karnataka Forest Department which has asked the company to identify land for compensatory afforestation.
RAMPANT MINING
Let’s take a look at the two major mining projects that have been bulldozed and accorded permission at various levels by the State and Central governments.
KIOCL’s Devadari Iron (2 MTPA) & Manganese Ore (500 TPA) Mine project across 402 hectares (revised proposal) which will result in felling of 72,100 trees in the Kumaraswamy Reserved Forest, Swami Malai – F block.
Despite being a Fresh EC, as per KIOCL’s application for environmental clearance, (claiming it as a minor activity), the company has stated that the project does not attract the provisions of the EIA notification, 2006.
SAIL-VISL project proposal for mining in 60.70 hectares of virgin forests will result in clearance of 29,400 trees in the forested hills of Ramgad Forest Block.
Both the projects have attracted criticism from every quarter which will turn Sandur into a hellhole in the days to come due to destruction of forest habitat and wildlife.
SURVIVAL OF VISL?
For the survival of VISL company, do we need to sacrifice our villages, our people’s health and forest wealth, question Sandur activists.
Wary of the enumeration of trees done by Forest department in the area, locals say trees have helped maintain the ecological balance of the region even as widespread destruction has occurred due to decades of both legal and illegal mining in the surrounding areas.
SANDUR’S EXISTENCE UNDER THREAT
In 2019, state forest officials had clearly stated in their reports that any more mining in the concerned region should not be permitted as it would not only destroy forests, its species but also cause severe soil erosion.
In fact, appealing to the Indian President, Dr Sadananda Heggadal Math in a mercy petition on behalf of the virgin forests stated, “We appeal to save the lives of every living being in this habitat from destruction. Our existence is under threat from relentless pursuit of mineral wealth which is nothing but a fleeting treasure. We cannot survive without these forests but we can survive without minerals.”
DIVERSION OF NEW FORESTS
Sandur in Ballari district of Karnataka has become a golden goose for greedy industrialists and politicians to make money in whatever form possible, say activists.
In Haddinapade forest block, southern zone of Sandur taluk, the forest density is 0.3 -.04 and is home to invaluable herbs, medicinal plants, & endangered species of wildlife. However, 405 hectares of natural forests in this area will be used by KIOCL for prospecting of minerals.
APPEAL FOR STAY ON KIOCL’s FC
Appealing to the state forest minister, Srisaila Aladahalli of Samaja Parivarthana Samudaya said, “We are informed that all preparations are being made to obtain permission from the Department, however, this order should be stayed. Also, KIOCL has already obtained FC Stage 2 clearance despite the objections of the Karnataka Forest Department for mining in 405 hectares. However, forest department have not allowed KIOCL to cut trees in the Deodari area.”
The members of Jana Sangram Parishad in Sandur have appealed, “We humbly request that proposals for mining activity in new forest areas in Sandur taluk, should be rejected at the very beginning. In this critical situation, excessive forest destruction, wildlife is on the brink of extinction, and climate changes stares at us.”
ORE EXTRACTION TO THE HILT
The area is fast losing its precious forest cover with verdant hills being mined year after year by both private and public sector mining companies. 45 MTPA of ore is being extracted annually from A and B class mines and C class mines from the forest area of Sandur. Due to this, daily movement of 4000-5000 trucks has created unbearable stress on the fragile ecology of Sandur.
Helpless farmers, beleaguered residents and angry activists have been knocking the doors of the High Court and Karnataka Government to stop mining in new forest areas. But alas! this has fallen on deaf ears.
SANDUR TURNS BARREN
Once a verdant hilly area with virgin forests and rare wildlife, today Sandur’s mountainous green landscape has become completely barren – filled with orange dust due to both legal and illegal mining of iron ore by MINING companies.
Every water source is contaminated with ore dust and pellets while the air is so foul and hazy that visibility is zero when iron ore laden trucks crisscross the hapless villages of this taluk.
PEOPLE’S CAMPAIGN
Although, a “Campaign to Save Sandur” has been launched by concerned citizens, NGO groups and environmentalists, the state government is hardly bothered about the detrimental effects of uncontrolled diversion of pristine forests.
Further, affected people have to travel all the way to Ballari to avail medical facilities as many affected villages do not even have a Primary Health Centre to address the issues of respiratory, gastro-enteritis, digestive, skin diseases and cancer.
PLIGHT OF PEOPLE
In fact, the state government has turned a blind eye to the plight of people directly affected by mining and failed to spend crores of rupees under the district mining foundation (DMF set up in 2015-16) funds.
Farmers complain of inability to grow any crop as the once fertile fields are poisoned with iron ore dust. One look at this Mars like landscape is sure to give nightmares, says Vinay, a concerned visitor to the Sri Kumaraswamy Temple atop the Swami Malai where even the temple structure is being damaged.
CATASTROPHIC EFFECTS
Citizens stress the government has failed to spend “any money” on the welfare of affected villages or eco-restoration despite KMERC (Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Company) funds being deposited by mining companies for mining ravaged areas in Ballari district.
Instead of this, funds have been used for development purposes in non-mining zones like Hampi, etc. Many affected people in more than 20 villages in Sandur taluk have been left in the lurch to suffer from the catastrophic effects of mining.