MANGALORE: Even as the debate continues on whether or not to permit mining operations in Kudremukh, conservationists have expressed their concern over the management of the mining area. The goal of the management of the Kudremukh National Park is to conserve, preserve and restore the ecosystem of the Western Ghats.

Conservationists have suggested a number of measures to preserve the areas where mining operations are undertaken.

A paper authored by Director of Wildlife Conservation Society, India Programme, Kota Ullas Karanth, and convenor of Wildlife First, Niren Jain, says the Western Ghats are threatened by widespread hunting activities, the effects of mining and human interference.

According to Dr. Karanth, zoning of the national park, restoration of degraded wildlife habitats and consolidation of the same, habitat improvement and management, building community support for wildlife conservation, regulating tourism within the park and monitoring wildlife are some steps to be taken by the authorities.

At a time when mining operations are being wound up, suggestions from people who have worked in areas of conservation and wildlife research have a definite bearing, says G.N. Ashokvardhan, president of Arohana, an institution that organises mountaineering. He has urged the Government to adhere to the Supreme Court order to stop mining in the Kudremukh area.

Mining lease

Mr. Ashokavardhan said the mining company had requested the Government to extend the lease period and was trying to get a lease in areas in Nellibeedu and Gangdikallu in the Western Ghats.

Mr. Ashokavardhan said: "The economic argument raised by the company has already been heard in detail by the Supreme Court, following which the court has given a final extension of three years, taking into account all the factors." The State Government had also filed an affidavit in the apex court stating that mining in Kudremukh should stop by 2005.

Damage to ecology

Mr. Ashokvardhan said mining has resulted in irreparable damage to the ecology and illegal roads have been constructed in eco-sensitive areas in the Kudremukh National Park.

Instead of planning to stay on in the area, the company should start work on the restoration and regeneration of the forests, which is one of the directives of the apex court, he added.

The Comptroller-Auditor General has recorded losses to the forests of Kudremukh to the tune of Rs. 139 crores owing to several violations of the Forest Conservation Act and the Wildlife Protection Act during mining operations.

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