The Hindu : Karnataka News : Their lives have turned to dust

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Karnataka

Karnataka

Their lives have turned to dust

Bageshree S.

Mining has had a devastating impact on agriculture and everyday life

Intensive mining has left huge craters in what was once the original hill
People have been agitating against it for long

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Affecting people’s lives: A view of the mining area near Chikkanayakanahalli town in Tumkur district.

Chikkanayakanahalli (Tumkur district): On the narrow mud road from Chikkanayakanahalli town towards Abbige Malleshwara Hill, the landscape gradually turns from lush green to deep red.

Visible from a distance is the hill, a big part mined for iron ore, and the rest bright green. Fine red dust has settled on every plant and tree, despite the fact that mining has for now been suspended.

Closer up, it becomes evident that the hill is but an eggshell with the contents taken out. Intensive mining has left huge craters in what was once the original hill. Stunted, dust-laden acacia saplings with boards that read “Caution: breaking branches is illegal” stand forlorn.

People living at the foot of the hill in this hellish environment have been agitating against mining, owing to its devastating impact on agriculture and everyday life. “On a day when tippers are plying, dust settles on the children’s food even before I finish cooking,” says anganwadi worker Shakuntala. She estimates that 200 to 300 tippers used to ply on the road every day.

Left in the lurch

Farmers have taken the brunt of the impact of mining. “Nothing grows because dust settles on the crop even as it sprouts,” says Mamata B.K., who now lives with her mother and one-year-old son at Bullenahalli. Sujatha, another village resident, adds that blasts have caused the water table to sink and borewells have gone dry.

Ms. Mamatha’s aged father started working in the mines as a security guard after cultivation became impossible. He was arrested as a “suspect” two days after the violent agitation against mining on July 24 in which machinery was destroyed. Other men of the house have fled, fearing arrest. “There are no men to either work on the farms or in the mines,” adds Ms. Mamatha.

Loss of employment

Mining has now been suspended because of opposition to it. But those who had found direct or indirect employment from the mines are not happy.

Dhananjay C.S., who had brought expensive equipment from Goa and sub-contracted it for work in mines, says: “I know that mines have affected the farmers badly. But many unemployed people like me had found some livelihood.” “If the Government promises me a job, I will take the lead in the agitation against mining.”

Mining has a history of about 60 years in the taluk, and old-timers such as Shivanna and Gauramma have worked in the mines when they used to be paid 12 annas a day and ore was transported on donkeys. But the activity has seen an unprecedented boom in the last five years, leading to fast environmental degradation.

Seven companies are officially engaged in mining in the area.

Locals allege that several others are into illegal mining, encroaching part of the forest land. The District Forest Officer however, denied this. Miners have donated Rs. 15 a tonne of ore mined towards a village welfare fund, which has added up to Rs. 8 crore. “We do less than five per cent of the mining done in Bellary. While those miners contribute nothing, we have been fair,” says S.A. Nabi, partner in a mine. Farmers, however, say they have not benefited from this fund.

“I do not know who has made money in any of this,” says Gangamma, pointing to the hill.

She shows her house which is in need of repairs and adds: “For us, there is nothing left but dust.”

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