GADAG: A majority of participants asked the government to give ‘conservation reserve tag’ to Kappatagudda forest range during a public hearing held at Dambal village in Gadag district on Monday.
Everybody, including seers of the region and elected representatives, batted for conserving the eco-system of the hill range which is home for rare medicinal plants.
The government had announced a part of the hill range as conservation reserve in December 2015 and withdrawn the same in November 2016.
Opposing this flip-flop, several organisations and environmentalists had launched a protest which was spearheaded by Siddalinga Swami of Tontadarya Mutt in Gadag. The seer had successfully led an agitation against steel giant POSCO which was mulling over establishing a plant near Hallikeri in Gadag district.
The public hearing was necessitated as while withdrawing the tag, the government said people complained that they were not consulted when the tag was given to the hill range.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who visited the district recently, has assured of holding a public hearing before taking any decision further.
Barring some heated altercations, the meeting concluded peacefully. Most of the participants, who were allowed to express their views, felt that Kappatagudda should be protected by reinstating conservation reserve status.
Siddalinga Swami said this mountain range is equally important like Western Ghats. “Because of Kappatagudda, the central part of Karnataka receives good rain and it is a biological hot spot as it has very rare flora and fauna. The government should reinstate the tag without any further delay,” he demanded.
Company objects to short notice for meet
Ramgad Minerals and Mining Limited has objected to the public consultation over announcement of conservation reserve to Kappatagudda.
The company has written to the Gadag Deputy Commissioner stating, “For public hearing to achieve some of its mandated objectives, the time period mentioned is very short. We strongly object to the short notice of seven days for such consultation.”
Further, the company stated that they strongly oppose declaration of Kappatagudda as conservation reserve. RMML stated that they have vested right given by the government for prospecting and mining in the areas and the same cannot be disturbed by declaring it a conservation reserve.
DC to submit report in a week
Deputy Commissioner Manoj Jain said he has recorded the statements of the public and all videos and proceedings and letters, memorandums would be submitted to the government in a week. He said the government has instructed him to hold a meeting and document the views. It will be submitted to the government for further action, he added.