State moves to save ecology

To submit affidavit to SC on action plan to penalise errant mining companies.

The Karnataka government would soon come out with an action plan to curb environmental damage from iron ore mining in the districts of Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur. The government would also file an affidavit in the Supreme Court explaining the detailed measures being taken by it to preserve the ecology as well as the action being taken on the errant companies, chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda said.

“We are in the process of preparing an action plan to preserve ecology that had been damaged following the rampant mining in these districts and the affidavit would be submitted to the Supreme Court in the next 15 days,” Gowda said. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the 53rd annual conference of Karnataka Planters Association (KPA), here, he said, the Supreme Court had asked the state government to file an affidavit spelling out what actions it had taken to rejuvenate the environment that that had deteriorated during the mining of iron ore.

“We have a plan ready. We have already held one round of discussions in this regard and more discussions will be held in this regard before we submit the affidavit to the apex court,” he said.

However, he said the government was yet to take a decision on cancelling mining leases of those involved in illegal mining as pointed out by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

Stating that the government was giving a thrust to preserve or promote ecological balance, he indicated that eco-friendly coffee plantations and bio-diversity rich Western Ghats in the state would find mention in the affidavit as the state readies to defend its commitment to stem environmental degradation.

Earlier, speaking at the KPA annual conference, Gowda said the state government has sent a proposal to the Union ministry of agriculture seeking a fund of Rs 13.48 crore for rejuvenation of pepper plantations as part of the pepper package prepared with the Spices Board.

He said the government was also planning to develop a dedicated agri-business corridor in the state to attract investments in the agriculture sector. The state is holding a global agriculture investors meet on December 1 and December 2 in Bangalore.