Forest area in Sandur (File photo)
BENGALURU: The state govt on Friday halted the Centre’s move to allow Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (
KIOCL
) to explore iron and manganese ore by rejecting its proposal to drill six boreholes in the Haddinapade Iron Ore Block in
Swamymalai forest block
of Sandur taluk in Ballari district.
The state cited threats to
biodiversity
, including medicinal plants, in the 434.7-hectare forest area as the reason for spiking the exploration.
In fact, KIOCL had submitted a proposal in January 2024 to drill 81 boreholes and, subequently, revised the proposal seeking nod for six boreholes. Of these, three boreholes would require construction of new forest roads.
Forest cover of 434 hectares untouched: Ballari
