It could cost the state government a whopping Rs 10,015.2 crore to reverse the damage wrought by iron ore mining to the environment in mineral-rich districts of Karnataka.
Based on recommendations of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), the state government has prepared a “Social, Economic Rehabilitation and Restoration Plan,” for mining impacted zones, which will be implemented over a period of 10 years. The plan, with emphasis on bio-diversity conservation, afforestation, soil and water conservation, infrastructure and human skill development, will be implemented in mining zones of Sandur, Hospet, Bellary, Chitradurga, Hosadurga, Holalkere, Tumkur and Chikkanayakanahalli.
It involves an estimated Rs 1302 crore for construction of 450 sq ft earthquake- resistant houses with high compound walls for the homeless, de-silting of the backwaters of the Tungabhadra reservoir at a cost of Rs 1372.5 crore, building CC internal roads and CFL street-lighting for all mining villages at a cost of Rs 475 crore, besides soil rejuvenation, developing plantations on extinct mine pits, and providing ambulances to occupation health centres.