Bangalore Mining in Karnataka is back on its feet. The Supreme Court has allowed mining to resume in iron ore mines of more than 50 hectares after rehabilitation and reclamation plans (R&R) for these leases are approved by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

The court accepted the recommendatations of the CEC which refer to restarting mining in two groupings of mines referred to as A and B groups, a classification that the panel had made based on a survey of the extent of irregularities. The two groups together constitute some 100 mines.

Sets stiff terms allows auction of iron ore already lying in stockyards

The Supreme Court on Friday partially lifted the ban on mining in three districts of Karnataka. It was lifted for a certain category of mines, with strict conditions. The court also allowed the auction of iron ore already lying in stockyards, under the supervision of a monitoring committee.
The court directed the Union ministry of environment and forests to “revisit” clearances given in the light of the reclamation and resettlement (R&R) programme.

Karnataka will implement modified National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) in 20 taluks in five districts.

Industry wants quick SC intervention as the only alternative for survival

Seven months after the Supreme Court issued a detailed corrective plan for rampant illegal mining in Karnataka, until recently the iron ore hub of India, the viability of the Rs 45,000-crore steel industry in the southern state remains in question.

Minister draws flak for preferring Ettinahole over Paramashivaiah Report

The agitation for water is likely to intensify in the coming days as various agitation committees in Chikkaballapur and Kolar are set to protest for the cause, following the visit of Minister Veerappa Moily to Bagepalli.

The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on Thursday reiterated its stand that no new mining leases should be granted in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts unless rehabilitation plans for the existing leases were executed.

The committee also maintained that the combined iron ore production from the mines should not exceed 30 million metric tonnes. It is imperative that any new mining lease should be considered only after the reclamation and rehabilitation plans (R&R) of the existing mining leases are successfully implemented and based on the existing infrastructure facilities and carrying capacity of the area,

Samaja Parivarthana Samudaya (SPS), the NGO which brought the large-scale illegal mining in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka out into the open, has approached the Supreme Court seeking directions for scrapping of all mining leases in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts.

SPS also sought a CBI probe into the criminal conspiracy allegedly hatched by officials and people’s representatives for the massive loot of iron ore in the region.

Committee submits to apex court reclamation and rehabilitation plans

The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on Wednesday recommended a 10-year prohibition in mining operations in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts, areas under the illegal extraction of natural resources in Karnataka.

GO to divert Hemavathi water to Sira sparks row; Kunigal farmers approach HC

Summer usually brings to the fore the century-old Cauvery river water dispute between the two riparian states -- Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. But this year’s summer seems to have sparked a fresh row over the Cauvery water within the State.

Verge of extinction

The dwindling numbers of blackbucks in the State’s only blackbuck sanctuary in the protected forest at Maidanahalli village of Madhugiri taluk in the district has caused concern among wildlife enthusiasts. The report of the blackbuck census conducted by the Forest department in association with the city-based Wildlife Awareness Institute (WAI), which was released on Monday, has revealed shocking figures.