[Bellary] Proposed steel plant near sanctuary causes concern

Source: The Hindu


Bhushan Steel seeks NOC from the Assistant Conservator of Forests
Activists urge authorities to protect wildlife habitat in and around the bear sanctuary

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Routine work: Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) B.K. Singh inspecting the facilities at the Daroji Bear Sanctuary on Monday. Assistant Conservator of Forests Ravindranath is seen. Bellary: The subcommittee of the State Wildlife Board, headed by cricketer Anil Kumble, will examine the proposal of the Bhushan Steel to set up a steel plant in Gadiganur village, adjacent to the Daroji Bear Sanctury, according to B.K. Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife).
Mr. Singh, who was on a day's visit to the Bear Sanctury for routine inspection, told The Hindu on Monday that the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Ravindranath had received a proposal from Bhushan Steel seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for setting up of its six million tonne steel plant.
“On getting the proposal forwarded by the ACF, it would be placed before the sub-committee to examine as to whether the NOC could be issued or not for setting up of the steel plant. Then, its recommendation would be forwarded to the State Committee on Wildlife, which is headed by the Chief Minister. The State Committee will have to forward its decision/recommendation to the National Committee on Wildlife, which is the final authority to clear the proposal”, he said.
It may be mentioned here that the State Government move to allot land to Bhushan Steel for setting up of its mega steel plant at Gadiganur and surrounding villages had come as a shock to nature lovers and wildlife activists in Bellary district. The activists felt the move is a threat to ‘Karadidham', Asia's first and the biggest Sloth Bear Sanctury, located near Hampi in Bellary district.
They have also expressed concern over the ecologically sensitive area getting disturbed with the setting of the steel plant close to the sanctuary.
Mr. Singh said that the sub-committee may visit the proposed plant site and interact with the stakeholders before taking a decision in the matter.
“The process would commence immediately after the proposal is tabled before the sub-committee”, he said adding that the department had received only one proposal so far seeking the NOC.
To a question, Mr. Singh said that certain area around the bear sanctuary has to be declared as eco-sensitive zone.
“What should be the minimum distance between the ecologically sensitive area and the proposed steel plant will have to be fixed after making a proper study. The matter would be forwarded to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to issue a notification in this regard.
Naturalists Santosh Martin, who is also honorary wildlife warden in the district, and Samad Kottur of Society for Wildlife and Nature, met Mr. Singh and submitted a memorandum with a request to protect the wildlife habitat in and around the bear sanctuary.