MGP says govt hasn't accorded magnesite mining permission

Mar. 24, 2010
MYSORE: Amidst demands seeking the state government to clear the air on magnesite mining in the tiger reserve of Bandipur national park, the Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has contended that a portion of the forest has been dereserved for mining purpose. But the state government has not accorded permission, it stated, adding another twist to the controversy.
Notwithstanding the contention of the deputy commissioner P Manivannan that there is no plan for magnesite mining at Bolegowdanakatte abutting the tiger reserve, anti-mining lobbyists led by Mysore MP H Vishwanth are seeking the BJP government to come clean on the issue. There is no dereserving of the land for mining and no NoC issued, the DC had stated.
The MGP pointing at the outcry against mining, said there are some common misconceptions about it. The state government, through a cabinet decision taken on February 20, dereserved a portion of the forest near Bolegowdanakatte for mining magnesite, it said. But it stated that the government has not given permission for mining and has no power to divert forest land for non-forestry use. It is the domain of the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), the MGP stated pointing out that the state government has no power to allow or disallow mining anywhere.
It stated that the MP, who is in the forefront of the anti-mining movement, can persuade the Congress-led UPA government not to dereserve forest land for mining and not to issue mining licences. This will solve the problem.
There is no need to worry what the state government is planning. If still the state government proceeds in this direction on its own, legal avenues are available. The MGP stated that the SC and the high courts have time and again curbed such adventurism by state governments in the matter of mining.