SC finds violation of mining rules

The Supreme Court-appointed team to study the impact of mining on environment in Karnataka’s Bellary district has found violation of rules by those engaged in mining.

“Some violations are there definitely. The District Deputy Commissioner told us that illegal mining had happened. Now it has been stopped under an order of Supreme Court,” Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) Director General V K Bahuguna, who is heading the 18-member team, told reporters here.

“I cannot say anything now. Our mandate is to do scientific assessment of impact on mining on livelihood. We feel the mining activity has impacted livelihood in Bellary,” he said. The team, which is on a visit to the district since last week, has three months time to submit its findings to the court and has sought list of maps of mining areas, number of sanctioned, operational and illegal mines, Bahuguna said.

“No body is opposing blanket ban on mining. People are saying that there should be no illegal mining,” he said.