Activists Demand Action to Halt Illegal Mining in Belagavi's Sensitive Ecological Zone
Social activists Rajkumar Topannavar and Sujeet Mulgund submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan on Tuesday, demanding an immediate stop to environmentally harmful activities, including mineral looting along the Belagavi border. They expressed deep dissatisfaction with the extensive illegal mining operations in areas around Khanapur and Belagavi taluk, which are causing significant environmental destruction.
Allegations of Illegal Mining Activities
In the memorandum, the activists alleged that illegal mining of minerals such as bauxite, laterite, and silica is taking place extensively in villages including Belagundi, Bakanur, Bijagarni, Golyali, Amate, Betageri, Kinaye, Inam Badas, and Torali. These activities are reportedly being conducted on farmlands without farmers' permission, leading to severe land damage. The minerals are being extracted by misusing mining passes issued to areas near Maharashtra, with suspicions that they are being transported to companies like Dalmia Cement and Chettinad Cement.
Environmental and Ecological Concerns
The area around Khanapur and Belagavi is environmentally sensitive, with illegal mining causing serious damage including forest destruction, groundwater depletion, and soil erosion. The villages affected lie in a highly sensitive ecological zone, close to Dhamne Reserve Forest, Tilari Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Deemed Forests, Reserve Forest areas, and an Elephant Corridor in Khanapur taluk. The presence of tributaries and nalas feeding major river systems further exacerbates the risk.
Illegal mining is leading to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, threats to wildlife corridors, destruction of water recharge zones, and pollution affecting agriculture and habitation. In Torali village, mining permission was reportedly granted by the Department of Mines and Geology without obtaining a mandatory No Objection Certificate from the Forest Department, with officials allegedly exploiting loopholes and colluding with mining operators.
Operational Details and Local Impact
The activists informed that illegal mining activities are being carried out from 2 AM to 6 AM to avoid attention from police and other government authorities. This has increased traffic of heavy trucks on the western roads of Belagavi and Khanapur, causing concern among locals about safety and environmental degradation.
Demands for Immediate Action
In view of these activities, the activists urged the government to take several measures:
- Order an immediate district-level enquiry into illegal mining activities.
- Conduct satellite-based mapping of affected areas.
- Perform drone surveys every three months to monitor illegal mining.
- Suspend new mining permissions in the region until the enquiry is completed.
- Form a special task force to curb illegal mining.
- Investigate the role of officials involved in these activities.
They warned that if not addressed immediately, these activities may lead to irreversible damage to the fragile Western Ghats ecosystem and the agricultural livelihoods of local farmers, emphasizing the urgent need for strict action against the culprits.
