Task force moots ban on mining in W Ghats

The Western Ghats Task Force has recommended a ban on mining in the region. Briefing reporters after the task force meeting under the chairmanship of Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, here on Wednesday, Anantha Hegde Ashisara, chairman, Western Ghats Task Force, said, “Western Ghats are spread over nine districts in the state and large-scale mining in Kudremukh and Dandeli has stopped. But, what is alarming is in certain areas, mining especially granite extraction is still being carried out.” 

“To put an end to mining activities in Western Ghats and also to protect rivers and its sources, a policy is being formulated. The task force is in the process of conducting a detailed survey in all districts with the help of district administration to determine the nature of damage. The aerial maps are also being generated to formulate policies and to take up remedial measures,” he added. 

The task force, in its drive for afforestation in the region, has recommended the state government to protect “Devara Kadu” or the sacred forest. In phase I, 12 prominent ‘Devara Kadu’ spread across Uttara Kannada, Shimoga, Chikmagalur and Kodagu have been identified. 

“We have initiated an exercise to catalogue 250 Devara Kadu spread across Western Ghat districts for remedial measures,” said Ashisara. 

Western Ghats Task Force on Wednesday submitted its initial ‘fact-finding report’ to the chief minister. According to Ashisara, the report contains findings of the research carried out so far on the Western Ghats and suggestions to develop a comprehensive policy to increase conservation and protect the region. 

The task force, in its report, has also recommended the involvement of reputed academic institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) and the state forest department for sustaining the conservation drive in the region.