Discussion on mining issues held

BANGALORE: Scientists from the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, who would be assessing the environmental impact of mining activities in a few districts in the state, had a discussion on the issue with officials from the state Forest Department, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Lake Development Authority and Centre for Ecological Studies, here on Wednesday.The 18-member team, headed by ICFRE director K V Bahuguna, along with local biodiversity experts and forest officials, is visiting Sandur, Bellary and Hospet for five days from to assess the impact of mining activities on the environment, sources said.The team comprised scientists, environment specialists, hydrologists, taxonomists and biodiversity experts, who had been appointed by the Supreme Court to conduct the assessment following the state’s recent mining report, he said.