Farmers, local activists and villagers continue the fight to reclaim their farm lands despite living amidst profitable mining operations.
Published Jun 25, 2024 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 25, 2024 | 11:00 AM
The extensive mining has taken a severe toll on forests in and around Kumaraswamy Hills in Sandur (South First)
In the shadow of the Kumaraswamy Hills near Sandur in Karnataka, villagers are raising desperate cries for government intervention. Their fertile lands have been forcibly encroached upon by mining companies, including the Union government’s National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC).
The once-thriving agricultural community now faces a grim reality: their lands are overrun by mining activities, leaving them without livelihoods, compensation, or dignity.
Farmers, local activists and villagers continue the fight to reclaim their farm lands despite living amidst profitable mining operations. They struggle without employment or government benefits.
The pervasive dust from the mines and hazardous waste dumping have further devastated the local environment and public health, leading to severe respiratory and cardiac issues among local residents.
The villagers’ appeals to reclaim their lands and secure basic necessities have gone unheeded, as mining continues to take precedence over their well-being.
Centuries old Kumaraswamy Temple located in the midst of forest in Sandur. (South First)
Despite the authorities spending funds from the District Mineral Funds (DMF) and Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) for the development of mining affected villages, several villages around Kumaraswamy Hills continue to call for the government attention to address the issues affecting their livelihood.
Sandur, nestled in Karnataka, is a land of striking contrasts and immense potential. Known for its abundant natural resources, the region has become a focal point for agricultural and industrial activities.
The fertile plains and mineral-rich terrain underscore Sandur’s economic diversity and promise, especially within the steel and iron ore sectors.
At the heart of Sandur’s prosperity lies the Tungabhadra River, a vital waterway supporting the agricultural expanse and the numerous industries thriving in the region, ensuring that the fertile lands remain productive and livelihoods are sustained.
Narihalla Dam built against Tungabhadra River near Sandur. (South First)
In addition to its agricultural bounty, Sandur is celebrated for its wealth of mineral resources.
The landscape is dotted with iron ore, manganese ore, and various other minerals, highlighting the area’s geological richness. These resources have long attracted industrial players and investors.
The mining sector in Sandur is robust, with significant contributions from state-owned enterprises like the NMDC and an expanding private mining industry.
This blend of public and private investment underscores Sandur’s critical role in bolstering India’s mineral reserves and supporting the nation’s industrial growth.
According to KMERC, a total of “466 villages have been identified as mining affected areas in Karnataka. Among them, a whopping 146 villages are in Sandur taluka of Ballari district alone. As many as 238 villages in Ballari have been notified as the mining affected areas.”
According to District Mineral Foundation, Iron ore, Manganese, Martitised Magnetic Iron Ore and other minerals contribute to DMF in Ballari with a total of ₹2,623.82 crore collected since its inception in 2015.
One of the mining block at the top of Kumaraswamy Hills. (South First)
“Of the total grants collected, the DMF has sanctioned projects worth ₹1,602.28 crore. The balance of DMF funds stands at ₹1,427.89 crore. A total of 1,779 projects were sanctioned. Among them 823 projects have been implemented in Ballari.”
“Of the total amount sanctioned, ₹803.30 crore has been utilised to implement 182 projects in the mining affected villages in Sandur. Of the total sanctioned projects, 112 are still in-progress,” claimed the DMF.
From the verdant heights of Kamthur village to the mining-ravaged villages surrounding Kumaraswamy Hills, agrarian tales paint a grim picture of injustice and despair.
Forced land acquisitions of hundreds of acres by mining companies, including the NMDC, have left farmers orphaned of their livelihoods and dignity.
As the farmers’ call for justice grow louder, their struggle against exploitation and environmental degradation continues unabated in most of those villages that have been declared as the mining affected areas.
Social Activist Malagi Pennappa, a resident of Kamthur village, told South First: “We have been residing here for centuries. We are staying at a height of 3,400ft. There are 14 unsettled villages, where the survey settlement is yet to finalise. The unemployment is severe.”
Social Activist Malagi Pennappa is fighting to free their encroached farm lands from the mining companies in Kamthur village in Sandur. (South First)
“Despite having NMDC and a private mines company, we are not getting employment. We are also not getting proper reservations as well.”
“They have forcefully acquired 64 acres of land. Despite having patta (title deed), the mining companies including NMDC have harassed us (farmers) and encroached our land,” Pennappa revealed the atrocities by the mining companies on locals.
He continued, “They have not even given a single penny as compensation and we have lost our fertile land as well.”
“Those who still have land are getting all the government benefits including PM Kisan Saman Nidhi Yojana. We are denied (government benefits) as our lands have been acquired forcibly,” dismayed Ponnappa further said.
Farmer Thimma Reddy, whose land has been forcibly acquired by mining companies, told South First: “I have 3.5 acres of land next to NMDC mining unit. Despite having patta on our land, they have encroached upon the land and dumped all mine waste.”
Thimma Reddy is fighting against the mining companies for encroaching his farm land in Kamthur village. (South First)
“Each acre is valued over ₹1 crore at present in the market. When we approached them seeking our land back, they assaulted us and even police personnel were deployed against us. We neither have land nor employment or compensation for losing our lands,” said Reddy.
Doddamaranna, a farmer from Kamthur village alleged that none other than the NMDC has encroached 4.75 acres of land for mining activities.
“NDMC has acquired our land without our knowledge. I have neither received any compensation nor signed any papers o give them my land. This is injustice,” alleged Doddamaranna.
“Even we met MLAs, deputy commissioners and other officials concerned, e received no justice. We are left with no option than consuming poison,” Doddamaranna said, adding that he is thinking about giving up his life as the authorities are not responsive to their concerns.
“After our lands have been encroached, we are pushed for daily wage work. We have been fighting this legally for over six years at district court but still waiting for justice,” Doddamaranna further continued, lashing out at the government for not coming to their rescue.
Similarly, the mining companies including NMDC operating in and around Kumaraswamy Hills have acquired hundreds of acres of fertile land of innocent farmers without providing any kind of relief or compensation or job, claimed farmers.
While the farmers are battling the mining companies over encroachment of their fertile lands, the several villages affected by mining are reeling under severe difficulties in terms of health.
Neelamma, a resident of Nandihalli, one of the mining-affected villages, told South First: “The dust that arises due to mining activities is so bad that it has adversely affected our lives. Even the lorries that carry the mines have caused several accidents which go unreported here.”
Neelamma accuses the state government not coming in aid of the mining affected villages in Nandihalli near Sandur. (South First)
“Only those who are wealthy will survive, and the poor continue to suffer here. We are not getting any benefits from the government.”
“I am facing health issues due to severe dust and I don’t have money to get my health checked. I receive only 2,200 as wages for working and helping in the government school. How should I manage the household and health expenses with this meager sum?” asked Neelamma.
Halaiah, a resident of Nandihalli, told South First: “We have been drained financially due to medical expenses from the dust. We are facing heart and kidney issues. The youngsters in the age group of 15 to 20 years have died because of the dust.”
“The poor do not have access to employment opportunities. We do not even have proper bus facilities, hospitals and houses. We lack proper drinking water facilities as well. It is disheartening that no one bothers to listen to our grievances,” fumed Halaiah.
Though several villages have community health centres, the villagers claim that most of the days ,these hospitals would be shut.
“The hospitals in rural areas, especially in the mining-affected areas, will function only when a team of doctors from mining companies visit for our weekly/monthly health check-up,”activist Peppanna said.
“In the remaining days, these hospitals will be shut. We have to go to Ballari for higher treatment or any medical emergencies,” she said blaming the apathy of the government hospitals in Sandur.
Farmer Kumaraswamy feeding fodder to his cattle at his farm land in Sandur. (South First)
Farmer Kumaraswamy, who owns four acres of land near Sandur, told South First: “We are facing severe problems due to mining activities. We are not able to grow bumper crops because of the severe dust. When we approach seeking justice, they claim that it’s a government road and nothing can be done about it.”
“The yield is decreasing every year. We are not able to feed healthy fodder to our cattle. We have to cover the fodder all the time with plastic sheets to prevent it from dust. Lands hold significant value in the market but continuing agriculture here is a herculean task for those who wish to do so.”
“The officials are least bothered to address our concerns. They appear to be negligent towards the affected areas and its people,” Kumaraswamy said.
(Edited by Shauqueen Mizaj)
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