Violations continue despite government’s assurance’

It also objects to the classification of mines under Category A

Questions are being raised over the recommendation of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) allowing mining by 16 companies among which are those embroiled in alleged irregularities. The Samaj Parivartan Samudaya (SPS), petitioners in the illegal mining case in the Supreme Court, has taken exception to the CEC recommendations and to the classification of the mines under Category A (consisting of mines not linked to any irregularity).

State delegation will soon meet Jayanthi Natarajan: Yogeshwar

Much against the wishes of the Karnataka State government, Union Minister for Environment and Forests (MoEF) Jayanthi Natarajan on Tuesday announced in Parliament that final approval had been accorded to declare Kudremukh National Park as a tiger reserve. The State government is against declaration of the Kuderamukh National Park as a tiger reserve, and heritage tag accorded to 10 sites of the Western Ghats. With the Union government’s final approval, the Kudremukh National Park has become the fifth tiger reserve in Karnataka and 41st in the country.

76 projects commissioned, 300 are being implemented

The Western Ghats, which has made it to the coveted list of World Heritage sites, is facing a serious threat from mini-hydel projects in Karnataka. According to K. Ramesh, a senior officer of Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL), 76 mini-hydel projects have already been commissioned and 300 are in various stages of implementation. Sources in KREDL disclosed that permission had been accorded for setting up 72 mini-hydel projects in the Western Ghats. Of these, 44 are coming up along the Netravati and its tributaries.

Central Empowered Committee has recommended cancellation of 49 leases

The Karnataka Government has requested the Supreme Court to revoke the suspension of 117 mining leases listed under categories A and B by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

Mining companies and political leaders in the State allegedly involved in illegal mining are growing anxious. Not only is the Lokayukta's final report to be submitted soon, but they are also worried about certain sealed documents submitted by the Central Empowered Committee to the Forest Bench of the Supreme Court.