If green impact beyond limit, stop Karnataka mining: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday said that mining activities in Karnataka, especially in Bellary region, will have to stop if it has crossed a certain point of endurance for the environment.

“There may be leases, legal or illegal, but if it has gone beyond a certain point, it has to stop,” the Supreme Court’s Green Bench led by Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia observed.

This comes after the Supreme Court, acting on a report of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), had suspended 19 mining leases in Bellary region and restrained them from carrying on till further orders.

In a strong observation, the court on Friday said the miners will have to contribute to restore the environment or the ban would continue.

Offering to pass orders for further assistance in order to conduct more detailed surveys to spot the illegal encroachments by the miners into the reserved forest areas, the Chief Justice, speaking on behalf of the bench, said: “We want to know if there is damage to the environment, and if it is there, mining should stop. Everybody, including the leasees (mining companies) should contribute to restore the environment, if they don’t, it will remain like that.”

Posted in: India News