Mr SR Hiremath president of Samaj Parivartana Samudaya which had filed the writ petition in Supreme Court against the illegal mining in Karnataka has welcomed the verdict.

He said that “The apex court decision not only protects ecology and environment in Bellary but restores livelihood security of the local communities. Many local communities are dependent on agriculture, animal husbandry and horticulture.”

He added that “The verdict also sends a significant and a clear message to the powerful nexus among the corrupt politicians, officials and mining mafia.”

Mr Hiremath further said that “I feel that this decision will go a long way in helping reclamation and rehabilitation of the mined areas, which constitute a part of the plan that each mine holder has to submit to the Indian Bureau of Mines. But very seldom they comply with it.”

(Sourced from BL)