The Forest Department in Hassan is facing a crisis as quarries are blasting through 400 acres of deemed forests in the region. This area is known for man-animal conflicts and has been identified as a landslide-prone zone by Isro.
Documents obtained by DH reveal that quarries in Arsikere and Channarayapatna taluks, totaling 400.16 acres of forest land, were ordered to suspend operations in February 2024. Despite this, a letter from the Mines and Geology Department instructed quarry license holders to resume mining in July 2024, in violation of the forest declaration.
The decision to allow quarrying in deemed forest areas has raised concerns about environmental degradation and wildlife habitats. The Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister, Eshwar B Khandre, has stated that mining activities in deemed forests cannot be permitted and will issue directives to halt such operations.
These violations highlight the challenges faced in balancing economic interests with environmental conservation efforts, particularly in sensitive areas like Hassan.
Published: 09 August 2024, 00:38 IST
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