Rehabilitation of Waste Dumps of Iron Ore Running Mines in Karnataka, India: A Case Study

Abstract

U.V. Singh*

Due to large scale export of iron ore from State of Karnataka to Republic of China, there was spurt in production of iron ore resulted to illegal iron ore mining. The Administration (Executive and Political) was either helpless or connived with the scoundrels. This phenomenon had brought tremendous pressure on existing transport infrastructure and caused irreparable damage to ecology of the area. The demography had changed a lot. In these circumstances, the State of Karnataka ordered investigation of illegal mining through Hon’ble Lokayuktha of Karnataka by an order dated 12.03. 2007.The Hon’ble Lokayuktha submitted his reports on 18.12.2008 and 27.7.2011. A Writ Petition No. 562/2009 was filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India by Samaja Parivarthana Samudaya & Others.

The Hon’ble Court directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to submit factual reports in the matter of illegal mining and large-scale damage to infrastructure, environment and ecosystem of the impact area of the Karnataka State. The CEC submitted various reports in this regard and the Honorable Court issued various orders/ directions. The Honorable Court has also constituted a Monitoring Committee (MC) for E-auction of the existing stocks in the leases, illegally stored iron ore, auction of ore from the resumed mines and monitoring of implementation of RR Plans. The author is one of three members of this MC. The impact of mining activities on the overall ecology/ecosystem of the area has been discussed in this article. The lessees have implemented the approved RR Plans at their own cost. Large number of employments have been generated through implementation of RR Plans. The modalities of the rehabilitation of waste dumps which mainly involves construction of retaining wall, garland trenches, benching of dumps, levelling of dumps, laying of coir mat, watering, showing of grass seeds, planting of plant samplings, maintenance and others have been studied in detail herein.

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