BANGALORE
The court said the Ministry of Environment and Forest will, meanwhile, come out with an interim report on the requirement of the iron ore for the country's steel industry.
In the midst of a political upheaval in Karnataka, the Supreme Court Friday ordered immediate suspension of mining and transportation of iron ore from Bellary district of the state saying "over-exploitation" of the area has caused large-scale environmental degradation.
The apex court passed the order by taking note of the latest 23-page report of its expert panel, Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which said most of the miners in the region were indulging in illegal mining causing considerable environmental damage.
A bench headed by Chief Justice SH Kapadia said a "holistic" view was required in view of the July 28 report of the CEC which indicated mining of iron ore in the Bellary-Hospet forest of Karnataka, was going on "without sufficient infrastructure."
The order came two days after Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, a retired apex court judge, brought out a detailed report on rampant illegal mining in the districts of Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga and its adverse impact on the environment and the people of these areas.
Besides Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, the report indicted mining barons and ministers, the Reddy brothers, companies and officials in the illegal mining that has led to a political storm and the ouster of the chief minister.
The apex court said its order of April 29 and May 5 restraining 19 lease holders from mining and the report of the survey team appointed by it recommending that violators will have to stop work in their entire lease area have to be expanded.
"In continuation of our earlier orders of April 29 and May 6, we are of the view that mining operations and transportation in an area ad-measuring approximately 10,868 hectares in Bellary District be immediately suspended till further orders," the bench, also comprising Justices Aftab Alam and Swatanter Kumar, said.
"We are satisfied that, on account of over-exploitation, considerable damage has been done to the environment. We are taking a holistic view of the matter. We have suspended these operations keeping in mind the precautionary principle which is the essence of Article 21 of the Constitution", the bench said while ruling out suggestions that it should wait for the outcome of reports from other regions of the state.
The court said it would also pass orders relating to two other districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga, also the hot-bed of illegal mining, after getting the environment impact assessment.
"We further direct the CEC to submit a report on Environment Impact Assessment on account of mining in Tumkur and Chitradurga Districts within a period of three weeks," the bench said.
The special forest bench, stressing the need for a formula to engage only the public sector undertaking (PSU), for mining in Bellary region, asked Attorney General GE Vahanvati to come out with the suggestions in consultation with the concerned departments within a week on some pointed questions.
"In the meantime, we direct the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) to submit an interim report indicating what is the requirement of the steel industry in India as far as iron ore is concerned."
"Secondly, out of the total requirement of the steel industry, how much is met by the Bellary mines. Lastly, how much of the quantity of iron ore is domestically required and internationally exported?"
"The MoEF will obtain this requisite information from the Ministries of Mines, Steel and Commerce," the bench said.
It directed the Secretary, MoEF, to convene a meeting of the Secretaries of the concerned Ministries and furnish a report within a week.
During the hearing, the bench said the state government will also work out the measures for rehabilitation of the region and the parties involved will have to make the financial contribution as everyone has to contribute for its restoration.
Further, the state government will have to fix the royalty on the export of iron ore on the basis of the international rate.
The court remarked the Bellary issue is a reflection of the "hidden economy" being exported abroad.
While passing the order, the bench cited the Haryana mining case where the apex court had banned mining in the area of Aravali till the damage is restored.
The bench had on May 6 ordered forming of the joint team of representatives of the Forest Department and the Mines and Geology Department of the state government besides those of Karnataka Lokayukta and the court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
DNA TV Show: How US Presidential election results may impact the world
Sharda Sinha dies at 72: Who are there in her family?
Who was Sharda Sinha aka Bihar Kokila, famous for Chhath and Maine Pyar Kiya songs?
Bihar Kokila Sharda Sinha passes away in AIIMS, son Anshuman confirms news
Parliament's winter session to begin from Nov 25, to continue till Dec 20
IPL 2025 mega auction dates announced: Check no. of players, venue, where to watch and more
Deepinder Goyal reveals customers' reaction to wife Grecia Munoz delivering Zomato orders
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy flirts with Sudha Murty in viral video from Kapil Sharma show
Ajay Devgn's fans don't want Singham Again to become a blockbuster: 'Rohit Shetty jab tak hai...'
Types, Most Popular and Where to Buy Peptides for Bodybuilding
Luxury in the City of Light: SABO Boutique Hotel Brings Elegance to Varanasi’s Sacred Ghats
Virat Kohli, Babar Azam could play for same team as Afro-Asia Cup set for revival
Shaping the Future of Web Apps: Full Stack Developer’s Expertise in API Design and Cloud Deployment
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Software Performance and Security
Mastering Linux for Superior Sound
Amid divorce rumours of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, Aaradhya praises mother in viral video
AI in Data Warehousing: Future Trends and Innovations
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio IPO worth Rs 840960 crore in 2025: All you need to know
After India's 0-3 loss against New Zealand, Shah Rukh Khan calls Gautam Gambhir...
BIG revelation on Imane Khelif, Olympic gold medallist boxer's medical repot leaked, it confirms…
Meet man who built Rs 152000 crore company, donated Rs 100 crore, now set to lead US firm as...
Visa Uncertainty: Impact of US polls on global talent
Virat Kohli turns 36: IPL franchises send heartwarming birthday wishes to legendary India cricketer
Meet Sanjay Verma, the new DGP of Maharashtra who replaced Rashmi Shukla
Anushka Sharma shares FIRST photo of Akaay, Vamika to celebrate Virat Kohli’s birthday
CAT 2024 admit card to be out today at iimcat.ac.in; know release time, steps to download
Vikas Divyakirti UPSC Tips: Check strategy to crack IAS exam, aspirants should study for...
Video of Pakistani man putting hand into chained tiger's mouth goes viral, social media reacts
Shalini Passi reveals her husband's connection to Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri Khan, they were..
SC upholds validity of UP madrassa law, says it does not violate principle of secularism
US Presidential Elections 2024: What time do the polls close; when will the results be known?
Elon Musk shares controversial post on X amid US election results, video goes viral
Mukesh Ambani's company earned Rs 15393 crore last week, his net worth now stands at...
Chhath Puja 2024: Know about Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, Usha Arghya, date, timings and puja vidhi
Virat Kohli Birthday: Legendary batter turns 36, here's a look at his incredible milestones
When Ratan Tata met his first true love after 50 years, went for dinner together, know who she was
Samantha Ruth Prabhu hits back at trolls who body-shamed her: 'If you guys...'
Two fall prey to Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani's deepfake videos, lose Rs 80 lakh: Report
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward sea ahead of US election
Deepika Padukone romances Hrithik Roshan in Bikini, looks sizzling hot in UNSEEN viral video
Chhath Puja 2024: Top 50 wishes, What'sApp messages, quotes to share with your loved ones
Meet Caroline Emmons, Ratan Tata's 'first love' with whom he couldn't marry due to...
Who is Rohan Jaitley, frontrunner to replace Jay Shah as BCCI secretary?
World’s most expensive human tooth is valued over Rs 3000000, it belonged to…
Viral video: Little girl’s adorable dance to Lisa Haydon’s 'Manali Trance' impresses internet, watch
SC to deliver its verdict on pleas against Allahabad HC order scrapping UP madrasa law today
DNA TV Show: Why Election Commission changed Assembly by-elections' dates
Days after imposing fine on Anil Ambani, Sebi now issues Rs 130 crore demand notices to...
Thailand announces indefinite visa-free entry for Indian travellers
Meet daughter of billionaire, who studied in UK, now works in Rs 32770 crore Indian company as...
MUDA case: Lokayukta police summon Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for questioning on...
This city is 4000 years old, belongs to bronze age where 500 people lived, it is located in...