The Karnataka State Mining Corporation Limited (KSMCL) has obtained approval from the forest department to divert over 47 acres of forest land in the Ballari district, even as the company has yet to clear pending dues related to earlier forest clearances. The state-owned mining entity submitted the proposal in 2020, seeking permission to construct a conveyor belt to connect its existing iron ore mine, which spans 1,536 acres.
Proposal Submitted in 2020
KSMCL initially filed the forest diversion application with the state forest department in 2020, aiming to build a 4.5-kilometer conveyor belt system. The conveyor belt is intended to transport iron ore from the mine to a processing plant, reducing reliance on truck haulage and lowering operational costs. The project involves the use of 47.3 acres of forest land, which falls within the reserve forest area of Ballari district.
According to officials familiar with the process, the proposal underwent multiple reviews by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) and the state-level committee. The approval, granted in July 2026, includes conditions requiring KSMCL to undertake compensatory afforestation on an equivalent area of non-forest land and to pay net present value (NPV) of the forest land diverted.
Pending Dues Controversy
The clearance comes despite KSMCL having unresolved dues amounting to a significant sum from previous forest diversions. Environmental activists and local watchdogs have raised concerns about the company's track record in complying with forest regulations. The state forest department had earlier issued notices to KSMCL for non-payment of compensatory levies and penalties for violations in other mining operations.
An official from the forest department, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the pending dues are being addressed separately and that the approval for the current project is contingent upon the company clearing all outstanding amounts within a stipulated timeframe. However, critics argue that granting fresh clearances to entities with pending dues sets a poor precedent for environmental governance.
Environmental Implications
The diversion of 47 acres of forest land is expected to impact local biodiversity, including several species of flora and fauna endemic to the Ballari region. The area is part of the Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests, which are home to wildlife such as leopards, sloth bears, and various bird species. Environmental groups have called for stricter oversight and mitigation measures, including wildlife corridors and green barriers.
KSMCL has committed to implementing a comprehensive environmental management plan, including the creation of a 10-meter-wide green belt along the conveyor route and the installation of dust suppression systems. The company also plans to use the conveyor belt to reduce air pollution from trucks, which currently emit large amounts of particulate matter.
Project Details and Future Plans
The conveyor belt project is part of KSMCL's broader strategy to modernize its mining operations in Ballari. The existing iron ore mine has been operational for decades and supplies ore to steel plants across Karnataka and neighboring states. With the new conveyor, the company aims to increase production efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
The approval, however, is subject to several conditions, including the payment of NPV and compensatory afforestation costs. KSMCL has been given a timeline of one year to complete the formalities. Failure to comply may result in revocation of the diversion order. The company has expressed confidence in meeting the conditions and expects the conveyor belt to be operational within the next two years.
Local residents have mixed reactions to the project. While some welcome the potential economic benefits and reduced truck traffic, others fear the loss of forest cover and its impact on their livelihoods. The district administration has assured that all stakeholders will be consulted before construction begins.
