Ministry mulls mining in Karnataka tiger reserve despite flagging threats
Finds area prone to soil erosion, landslides; experts slam move
The regional office of the Environment Ministry has recommended a quarrying proposal in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve, despite its own findings that the proposed area is a high-rainfall zone prone to soil erosion and landslides.
The area proposed for quarrying by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is part of the Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA). The ministry said the proposal was recommended on the grounds that the quarry material was needed for the construction of Units V and VI of the Kaiga nuclear power plant.
While recommending the proposal, S Senthilkumar, Deputy Director General of Forests (Central), Regional Office Bengaluru, noted that the proposed quarry area fell within the ESZ of the Kali Tiger Reserve, where quarrying was prohibited and Devikar village, where the quarry was located, also fell within the Western Ghats ESA.
The NPCIL has not submitted environmental clearance or wildlife clearance for the proposal. It was also flagged that permission for quarrying had originally been granted in 1994 but lapsed in 1999. However, quarrying continued in violation of the Forest Conservation Act.
“It is also observed that the quarry area had earlier been in operation under the possession of the user agency; however, after the expiry of the lease in 1999, the area was not taken back by the Forest Department. Forest clearance had been granted only for five years for construction related to Units I and II, but quarrying reportedly continued beyond 1999 for Units III and IV, which constitutes a violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Further, no forest clearance under the said Act appears to have been obtained for the existing approach road connecting the quarry site to the nuclear plant, which also amounts to a violation,” Senthilkumar said.
As per the divisional forest officer’s report, the proposed area is ecologically rich, with tiger, leopard, jungle cat and other wildlife present. “Additionally, the region falls within a high rainfall zone prone to soil erosion and landslides. The quarry material is proposed to be used for the construction of Units V and VI of the nuclear power plant,” Senthilkumar added.
Wildlife conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni, who appealed against the proposal to the Environment Ministry, said it was “deeply disturbing” that the ministry recommended the quarry proposal in “blatant contradiction” to its own findings.
“Their report clearly acknowledges that the proposed site lies within the eco-sensitive zone of the Kali Tiger Reserve, an area where quarrying is explicitly prohibited due to its ecological significance. Such a recommendation not only undermines the very purpose of environmental safeguards but also raises serious questions about accountability, integrity and commitment to conservation. Decisions that disregard established protections for fragile ecosystems set a dangerous precedent and erode public trust in regulatory institutions meant to uphold environmental law,” Kulkarni said.
