Parishat expresses concern over mining block surveys

The district unit of Jan Sangram Parishat, while expressing deep concern over the State government’s decision to get the survey of nine mining blocks in Hosapete and Sandur taluk for allotment of fresh leases, have urged Chief Minister Siddarmaiah not to stop the survey immediately and declare these blocks as eco-sensitive zones.

“The district has severely suffered on account of brazen unscientific, illegal mining activities, which has not only resulted in the destruction of forest, environment and ecology, but also the health of the people. At a time when the Supreme Court had ordered rejuvenation of forests, it is unfair on the part of the government to gear up to grant fresh mining leases,” T.M. Shivakumar, president of the district unit told presspersons here on Monday.

He criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for not sticking to his promise made during the ‘padayatra’ against illegal mining but taking decisions that favoured the capitalists. “Mr. Siddaramaiah should have ordered for survey of the impact caused on environment due to unscientific and illegal mining,” he said.

CM clarifies

Meanwhile, Mr. Siddaramaiah has clarified that the ongoing survey of nine blocks in Sandur and Hosapete taluks was only to take stock of the situation.

“These nine blocks, having mineral deposits, were identified and sketches were prepared in 2003 for granting leases. Keeping in view the demand for iron ore, we want to get the area classified and demarcated into forest land, land owned by the State government and land not owned by the State government,” he said while responding to questions by presspersons during his brief halt at Jindal airport on Monday.

The Director of Mines and Geology, in a letter to Deputy Director Mines and Geology, Hosapete, had directed to carry out the survey using digital global positioning system of the nine blocks already identified, which was necessary as per the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of the Union government. Accordingly, a joint survey by officials of departments of mines and geology, revenue and forests is under way.