Mine in Andhra, dump waste in Karnataka

Mine in AP, dump waste here

Firms Violate Notification, Pose Threat To Border Villages

Shivakumar G Malagi | TNN

Bellary: With the Andhra Pradesh government approving large-scale mining operations across the border, Karnataka villages are losing ecobalance and becoming dumping yards for mining waste.

Living condition has deteriorated in Gangalapur, Vitalapur, Tumati, Belagal, Honnali and Halkundi in Karnataka,which adjoin the Malapanagudi, Obulapuram and Siddapura iron ore belts in Andhra Pradesh.

As per the Environment Impact Assessment Notification (EIAN)-2006 of the Union ministry of environment and forests, the mining companies, located in whole or in part, within 10 km of the inter-state border should hold public hearings in both states.

“Of course, the firms do mining as per the granted leases in AP. But, they dump the ore waste in our villages. This accumulated ore waste is proving fatal to people and livestock. They don’t even hold a public hearing to raise our objections,” said a resident of Tumati village.

According to Bellary district forest officer S Muttaiah, there are three or four mining leases (ML) on the state border. Only few forest hamlets in Andhra fall within 10 km of the mining leases, while many villages on the Bellary-Sandur range along the interstate border have been vulnerable to ill-effects of mining in AP. “An experts’ report and objections of residents on both sides of the border have to be obtained to get environmental clearance for new MLs,” says K R Baig, regional director (environment).

“Going by EIAN-2006, it would be mandatory for an Andhra company to conduct public hearings in state’s villages. As per my knowledge, we have not received any intimation and documentation on public hearings conducted by the AP Pollution Control Board in our border villages,” says K B Kotresh, deputy environmental officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. “Environmental issues of MLs, irrespective of the mining stretch, fall within the ambit of MoEF and KSPCB has no power to act on mining leases in Andhra Pradesh taking cognizance of environmental sensitivity in border villages,” he said.