The violation of legal and administrative norms by government authorities in awarding mining leases at Rama Malai (popularly known as Ramgadh area) and Swami Malai area has been established by the Supreme Court's decision to restrain 15 of the 19 mining companies from mining and transporting ore till further orders.
The 15 mining lease holders in the Ramgadh area are Sri Rama Rao M. Poal, Adarsha Enterprises, J.M. Vrishabhendraiah, Sparkling Mining Corporation, Shiva Vilas Trust, J.M. Vrishabhendraiah, Jai Santhoshi Matha Mining Enterprises, D. Ramesh, VSL Mining Company, Karthikeshwara Mining and Iron Ore Company (P) Ltd., A. Arogya Das, G. Praveen Kumar Nikkam, A. Arogya Das, B. Rudre Gowda, and Mithra Minerals.
For over a century, Ramgadh was a beautiful hill station, a cool haven for those escaping from Bellary's scorching heat. In the past few years, its environment has changed because of the rampant mining without mandatory forest clearances. Mining has robbed most of its natural beauty and made the place look like a desert.
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According to the report of the Central Empowered Committee the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, Mineral Concession Rules, the Forest Conservation Act and the various notifications issued by the State Government “have been flagrantly violated not because the officers concerned were not aware of them or there was any ambiguity or differences of opinion among the various departments, but because of extremely rich ore deposits in these areas and the ease with which it could be mined and the huge amount of money involved”.
The report said that mining leases of Ram Rao M. Poal, Adarsha Enterprises, J.M. Vrishabhendraiah, Sparkling Mining Corporation, J.M. Vrishabhendriah, Jai Santhoshi Matha Mining Enterprises, D. Ramesh and VSL Mining Company to the extent of 87.36 hectares were granted in blatant violation of the law.
Besides, mining leases have been granted in Swami Malai Block (under process) to Karthikeshwara Mining and Iron Ore Company (P) Ltd., A. Aroyga Das Bellary, G. Praveen Kumar Nikam and A. Arogya Das Nikam, B. Rudre Gowda and Mithra Enterprises in an area of 191.35 hectares.
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But mining leases were granted on the basis of No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Bellary, on the ground that the area applied for mining lease is a non-forest land. They did not obtain a report from the Divisional Forest Officer concerned, which is mandatory. Satellite imagery provided by the Deputy Commissioner, Bellary, during the visit testifies that mining lease areas had dense forest cover that had been ruthlessly destroyed after mining, the report noted.
The CEC recommended the immediate suspension of the 15 mining leases, exemplary action against the officers concerned of the Forest, Revenue and Mining departments for issuing NOCs stating that the areas wherein applications for mining have been made is a non-forest land, and for violation of MMRD Act. The CEC also appealed to the court to direct the State Government to determine the boundaries of the forest area, as per Section 4 of the Forest Act in Ramgadh block.
Describing the court's decision as a “landmark” one, president of the Samaj Parivarthana Samudaya S.R. Hiremath said the verdict came as “succour” in saving the forest area.