CEC team visits mining areas

BELLARY: The Supreme Court appointed Environment Impact Assessment Study Team visited some mining areas in Sandur taluk on Friday.The team inspected the lease areas in and around Adarsh, Sparkline, Ramarao Pol, SKME and NMDC mining companies.The team led by Dr K V Bahuguna cobbled information from mining lease holders about the extent of mining, allotted sites, waste dumping yards, safety zones and impact on surrounding villages.They also referred to the lease sketches.Bhushan Steel’s NOC request rejectedBELLARY: Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has rejected the request of noobjection certificate (NOC) from Bhushan Steel (south) Limited, to start a 6 million tonne (MT) steel plant adjoining the Daroji Bear Sanctuary, in Bellary district.The decision was said to be taken after taking into consideration the report of the sub-committee of the State Wildlife Board (SWB).The matter was referred to Ministry of Environment and Forests which instructed SWB to inspect the proposal and send its opinion.Anil Kumble, vice-chairman of SWB, and his team visited the site and ruled that the site of the proposed steel plant is on the bear corridor and hence the NOC should be rejected.Environmentalists and activists were up-inarms against the steel plant being set up adjacent to the Daroji Bear Sanctuary.