Govt Revives NMDC Mining Bid in Ballari's Swamimalai Forest

05 Sep 2025 CW Team

The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) had originally sought 392.92 acres of forest land, home to over 26,000 trees and species such as leopards, sloth bears, four-horned antelopes, jackals, Indian wolves, foxes, and wild boars. The site lies within 1 km of the ancient temple complex.

In 2019, based on reports from senior forest officials, then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Punati Sridhar had flagged the proposal, advising against even seeking stage-1 (in-principle) clearance from the central government. However, NMDC revised its application in 2024, reducing the land request to 250.86 acres, while reserving rights over the remaining area.

The company has assured that tree felling will occur in phases, only after obtaining necessary permissions and aligned with mining requirements. In line with government directions, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Ballari, has asked NMDC to update its proposal and include details for compensatory afforestation.

The move has drawn criticism from environmentalists. In a similar instance, the government also overruled objections to divert 992 acres of forest for mining by Kudremukh Iron Ore Mining Company Ltd, a case that is now under suo motu review by the National Green Tribunal.

Sreeshaila Aladahalli, a Sandur-based activist, called the NMDC development “yet another betrayal.” He highlighted that while global policies focus on intergenerational justice, Karnataka appears intent on revisiting projects previously abandoned due to their potential ecological impact. The Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) had recommended reducing annual mineral production from 50 million tonnes to 20 million tonnes, yet mining clearances continue to advance.

When approached for comment, Ballari DCF Basavaraj K N confirmed that no final decision had been made. “We are following the government’s directive to examine the revised proposal. The matter is still under process,” he said.

Nearly five years after rejecting a mining proposal in the ecologically sensitive Swamimalai forests near the historic Kumaraswamy-Parvati temple in Ballari’s Sandur region, the Karnataka government has revived the case, instructing officials to begin procedures for fresh forest clearance.The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) had originally sought 392.92 acres of forest land, home to over 26,000 trees and species such as leopards, sloth bears, four-horned antelopes, jackals, Indian wolves, foxes, and wild boars. The site lies within 1 km of the ancient temple complex.In 2019, based on reports from senior forest officials, then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Punati Sridhar had flagged the proposal, advising against even seeking stage-1 (in-principle) clearance from the central government. However, NMDC revised its application in 2024, reducing the land request to 250.86 acres, while reserving rights over the remaining area.The company has assured that tree felling will occur in phases, only after obtaining necessary permissions and aligned with mining requirements. In line with government directions, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Ballari, has asked NMDC to update its proposal and include details for compensatory afforestation.The move has drawn criticism from environmentalists. In a similar instance, the government also overruled objections to divert 992 acres of forest for mining by Kudremukh Iron Ore Mining Company Ltd, a case that is now under suo motu review by the National Green Tribunal.Sreeshaila Aladahalli, a Sandur-based activist, called the NMDC development “yet another betrayal.” He highlighted that while global policies focus on intergenerational justice, Karnataka appears intent on revisiting projects previously abandoned due to their potential ecological impact. The Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) had recommended reducing annual mineral production from 50 million tonnes to 20 million tonnes, yet mining clearances continue to advance.When approached for comment, Ballari DCF Basavaraj K N confirmed that no final decision had been made. “We are following the government’s directive to examine the revised proposal. The matter is still under process,” he said.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..