The Hindu : Karnataka News : NGOs oppose mining in Western Ghats

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 19, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

NGOs oppose mining in Western Ghats

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JULY 18. Alarmed by the Government's move to grant mining permits to private companies at Kodachadri and other parts of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats, non-governmental organisations such as Vrukshalaksha Andolana Karnataka and Seva Sagara Trust have decided to launch a campaign to highlight the consequences of such action.

Anant Hegde Ashisar of Vrukshalaksha told presspersons here recently that many private firms had begun mining without waiting for the permit and widespread protests and a concerted campaign by NGOs and the local residents made them retreat subsequently. Raghaveshwara Bharati Swami of Sri Ramachandrapura Math had led the campaign.

A study by experts such as A.N.Yellappa Reddy, B.M. Kumaraswamy, and Keshava Hegde Korse noted that mining would "kill" the Sharavathi valley, where the Kodachadri, Chakra, Vaarahi, Savehaklu, Souvarnika rivers and streams originate, with silt and sludge.

A technical study by the Centre for Ecological Sciences of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, submitted to the State Government recently, was categorical in recommending a ban on mining in the area and on mega projects such as dams, as the area was home to many endangered species of flora and fauna.

Mr. Hegde said that seven private mining companies had again sought permission for iron and manganese mining in 20,000 hectares of the Kodachadri ecosystem. Apart from that, there were many applications for mining in other districts of the region such as Shimoga, Dakshina Kannada, and Kodagu.

Mr. Hegde said in 1997-98, a few foreign companies were ready to set up shop in the region, but a campaign by the NGOs made them to back off.

He pointed out that mining in the Western Ghats, one of the 18 ecological hotspots of the world, had already eaten into forests and protected areas and national parks. Kudremukh, Dandeli, Bisagoda, Kemmangundi, Shettyhalli were ample proof of what havoc had been wrought by mining over the decades.

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