Tue Oct 14 15:59:44 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article rewrite from an Indian perspective:
**Summary:**
The regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in Bengaluru has rejected a proposal for a mining project in the Thirtharampura Reserve Forest in Tumakuru district, Karnataka. The Sarangapani Iron and Manganese Ore Mine Project sought to divert 48.2 hectares of forestland. The rejection was based on several factors including ambiguities in the legal status of the land, invalid environmental clearances, lack of wildlife clearance, the area being an eco-sensitive zone, and its importance as a watershed in a drought-prone region. A site inspection and a complaint from a wildlife conservationist highlighted the ecological damage the project would cause, including disruption of elephant migratory routes, worsening water scarcity, and intensifying human-wildlife conflict. Moreover, the report noted the ecological recovery of the area since mining ceased in 1999 and the presence of various wildlife species. Approving the project, along with 18 other pending mining leases in the area, would have disastrous consequences.
**News Article:**
**Environment Ministry Blocks Mining Project in Tumakuru Forest, Citing Ecological Concerns**
**MYSURU, October 14, 2025:** In a rare victory for environmental protection, the regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has rejected a proposal to divert nearly 50 hectares of forest land in Tumakuru district for a controversial mining project. The decision, hailed by wildlife conservationists, comes amidst growing concerns over the impact of development on India’s shrinking natural habitats.
The proposed Sarangapani Iron and Manganese Ore Mine Project, located in the Thirtharampura Reserve Forest, faced stiff opposition due to its potential to disrupt crucial wildlife corridors and exacerbate water scarcity in the drought-prone Chikkanayakanahalli taluk. A site inspection ordered by the ministry uncovered several irregularities, including questionable environmental clearances and the absence of necessary approvals from the National Board for Wildlife.
“This decision reflects a growing awareness of the critical role forests play in maintaining ecological balance, especially in vulnerable regions like Tumakuru,” stated Giridhar Kulkarni, the wildlife conservationist whose complaint triggered the investigation. “The Thirtharampura Reserve Forest acts as a vital watershed for numerous villages, and its destruction would have devastating consequences on both local livelihoods and wildlife.”
The inspection report highlighted the presence of endangered species like sloth bears, leopards, and hyenas, along with evidence of a critical elephant migratory route through the area. Furthermore, the report emphasized the increasing incidents of human-wildlife conflict in the region and warned that mining activities would only worsen the situation.
Significantly, the ministry also considered the cumulative impact of approving this project alongside 18 other pending mining leases in the same forest area. Concerns were raised that such widespread mining would inflict irreparable damage on the region’s ecology and socio-economic well-being.
While development remains a priority for India, this decision signals a growing willingness from the government to prioritize environmental protection and consider the long-term sustainability of its natural resources. The rejection of the Sarangapani mining project offers a glimmer of hope for the preservation of India’s forests and wildlife in the face of increasing industrial pressures.
First Piper 