The Forest Department in Karnataka is grappling with a contentious issue involving quarry operations in Hassan district, a region already troubled by man-animal conflicts and classified as a landslide-prone zone by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). Documents obtained by Deccan Herald (DH) reveal that quarry activities in Arsikere and Channarayapatna taluks, spanning a total of 400.16 acres of deemed forest land, were halted in February 2024. This action followed a notification from the forest department on May 5, 2022, which officially declared these areas as ‘deemed forest’.
Once an area is designated as forest land, any alterations or use for non-forest purposes require approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Consequently, leaseholders were instructed to submit their proposals to the ministry for review.
However, the situation took a controversial turn with a letter dated July 18, 2024, from the senior scientist of the Mines and Geology Department for Hassan district. This communication instructed quarry licence holders to resume their activities, citing a June 26, 2024, decision by the District Task Force, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner. The task force had reportedly permitted the resumption of quarrying based on ongoing and new proposals in areas partially or wholly declared as deemed forest.
The letter stated that quarrying in these areas would continue until a joint survey by the Forest Department, Department of Mines and Geology, and Revenue Department was completed, and the lands were officially transferred to the Forest Department. This decision has raised significant concerns among environmentalists and officials, particularly because the High Court of Karnataka had previously ruled against such operations.
One notable case is that of MC Rangaswamy, a quarry licence holder whose petition to resume mining was dismissed by the High Court on April 2, 2024. The court’s decision followed its 2022 directive to reconsider quarry applications due to concerns over large-scale environmental destruction. Furthermore, the Supreme Court had, in August 2023, recognised 3.3 lakh hectares of land in Karnataka as deemed forest, complicating the situation further.
A senior official within the Forest Department expressed frustration over the Mines and Geology Department’s actions. “It is not known how the Department of Mines issued such a letter after the April 2024 order. The letter is tantamount to contempt of court,” the official told DH.
In response to the violation, Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre asserted that mining activities within deemed forests are strictly prohibited. “We have already notified these lands as deemed forests. Mining cannot be allowed in such areas. I will issue directions to stop such activities,” Khandre confirmed.
The controversy underscores the ongoing tension between environmental protection and industrial activities in Karnataka. The region’s forests, which are part of a crucial elephant corridor, have seen increased conflicts between humans and elephants due to disturbances. Moreover, Hassan ranks 53rd among 147 landslide-prone districts, further complicating the issue.