KIOCL Cleared for Exploration in Chitradurga's Nirthadi Forest

The Karnataka Forest Department has granted clearance to Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. (KIOCL), a Union government enterprise, to undertake iron and manganese ore exploration in the Nirthadi Reserve Forest, located in Holalkere taluk, Chitradurga district.

The approval allows for the diversion of 64.7 hectares of forest land—including 27.2 hectares of undisturbed forest—under mining lease no. 1177, previously held by Kashimurthy Shetty & Sons, for a one-year prospecting period.

The proposed exploration activities include:

Felling of approximately 700 to 1,000 trees, Creation of 24 trial trenches, Drilling of 34 boreholes, Excavation of sump pits for sampling, Construction of approach roads through forest patches in Sadarahalli and Keshavapura

Of the total land area, 37.6 hectares were previously mined, while the remaining portion constitutes pristine tropical dry deciduous forest.

An inspection report by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Chitradurga, underscores the ecological sensitivity of the ridge-based forest ecosystem, emphasizing the need for soil and moisture conservation. However, the report also cautions that the current proposal “will ultimately lead to future mining operations.”

The forest is home to diverse wildlife, including leopards, sloth bears, jackals, pangolins, porcupines, monitor lizards, wild boars, and peafowls, raising further environmental concerns regarding habitat disruption.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.