Show cause notice issued to officials on mining in Karnataka park

BENGALURU: Taking serious note of reports on alleged mining activities in the eco-sensitive Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru urban district deputy commissioner BM Vijay Shankar has served show cause notices on a Tahsildar, senior geologist and other officers.

The lush green park within the Ragihalli state forest is regarded as an important elephant corridor.

Following media reports and complaints about large-scale mining of granite stones inside the eco-sensitive zone, Shankar inspected the area on Friday.

In his show cause notice, Shankar reminded the seniorgeologist that he was entrusted with implementing the Supreme Court orders and the forest department's regulations to not allow mining activities in the eco-sensitive zone.

Yet, quarrying was rampant in Kannaiyana Agrahara in Jigani Hobliaround Bannerghatta Biological Park, he said.

"You have stated in your report that no illegal mining took place. Though you were aware that this was an eco-sensitive zone, it is evident that you did not take effective steps to stop quarrying in the area," Shankar said and asked him to furnish information within three days.

The deputy commissioner also warned him of disciplinary action if he failed to provide a satisfactory answer.

The deputy commissioner had convened an emergency meeting with officials of various departments Saturday and issued show cause notices mentioning it as urgent, an official said.

Wildlife enthusiast Vijay Nishanth welcomed the issuance of the notices which, he said, would be inadequate until the mining activities were stopped permanently.

He said the area was an elephant corridor and quarrying endangers the habitat of wild animals.

Environmentalists too have expressed concern over the alleged mining in and around the park.