Belgaum iron ore illegally dumped, transported to Goa!
BY LOUIS RODRIGUES
BELGAUM, MAY 22
The Belgaum Forest Department has found huge amounts of iron ore worth several crores of rupees being illegally dumped along Goa’s border with Belgaum district, from where it was reportedly being transported to Goa.
Acting on complaints, the Forest Department recently found that the iron ore was being transported and dumped illegally in private lands located in the forests neighbouring Karnataka along the Goa border for the past few years.
The Forest Department has filed FIR against these illegal activities.
According to some environmentalists, the activity is being carried out with the blessings of politicians and businessman from Karnataka and Goa allegedly having their vested interests in the mining business.
The iron ore was being brought from parts of Hospet, Bellary, Chitradurga, Bagalkot and other areas and dumped in the forest areas near Goa, before allegedly transporting it to Goa, from where it is being sent to China and other nations.
The illegal activity has been rampantly going at Ramnagar, Jamboti and other areas neighbouring Goa.
Karnataka’s Chief Conservator of Forests U V Singh had conducted a secret survey on the transportation of iron ore from parts of Karnataka to Goa recently and exposed the illegal activities.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Girish Hosur told Herald that during a recent survey, the Forest Department found that iron ore which is being transported to Goa via parts of Karnataka.
“The activity was going on daily without relevant license and permission from the Forest Department. We have seized a large amount of illegally transported iron ore and have registered cases against those involved,” stated Hsour.
“Stringent action will be taken in case such cases are found in future,” he said.
The state and national highways that connect Goa from Karnataka have lost shape due to the movement of over-loaded iron ore trucks. Considering the issue seriously, the Forest Department has initiated stringent measures stopping the illegal transportation a few weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the unabated transportation of illegal dumping has adversely affected the traffic movement on Belgaum-Goa road via Anmod. It is getting hampered due to the heavy movement of iron ore trucks causing major and minor mishaps.
The action by the Forest Department might give some relief to the vehicular movement on this road, as a large number of Goans visit Belgaum during this time of the year.
