THE clampdown on illegal mining in the mineral-rich states of Karnataka, Goa and Orissa has resulted in collateral damage by way of lower truck sales.
According to people connected with mining and truck-makers, sales of specialised trucks and tippers that are used to ferry minerals from pit heads to ports has fallen sharply in the past month by 40-50%.
For millions of years, the hillocks between Daroji of Sandur taluk and Ramasagar of Hospet taluk in Bellary district have been home to bears, leopards and other animals.
The Karnataka government has stuck to its offer of extending the validity of an iron ore transport permit to nine days and declined to consider 12 or 10 days as sought by mining companies.
When Bench of the state high court resumed hearing on the case filed by mining companies against the state government
The Centre for Sustainable Development (CSD) has proposed to establish in situ conservation sites in 13 districts of the State, where it would collect information about floral biodiversity and document it.
The Centre is also planning to start research and conservation of Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) species and link cultural relationship in management of biodiversity.
In view of the growing pressure to check illegal mining in Bellary, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa said 20 squads had been appointed to check illegal mining in Karnataka.
Talking to the media after a review meeting in Bangalore on Tuesday, the Chief Minister reiterated his intention to stop illegal mining in the State and said the squads had been of great help in preventing illegal min
