Locals to be involved in NCPNR campaign

BANGALORE: National Committee for Protection of Natural Resources (NCPNR) along with like-minded organisations will steer a campaign on involving local communities in reclamation and rehabilitation (R&R) of land followed by a visit to a Hospet iron ore mine.Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday, NCPNR President S R Hiremath said, “The NCPNR team will visit Sanklapur RBSSN Mine of Hospet taluk.NCPNR and Gram Ganarajya Vedike(GGV) who have been working closely with local communities in Bellary and Anantpur Districts, including Tumkur and Chitradurga have brought together the scientists of University of Agriculture Sciences for further examination.The report on Revised Supplementary Plan for R&R of Sankalapuram Iron Ore Mines, Hospet has been submitted to the Supreme Court.”NCPNR has also suggested certain inclusions to the report like check dams, involvement of local people and more, he added.Appealing for dialogue on illegal mining issues and governance, NCPNR and other organisations pledged to conduct themselves in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.The committee members also said that they were hurt by the language used by the MLAs and Cabinet ministers.NCPNR in association with other organisations will launch a campaign for 'ousting corrupt persons from public life and protection of natural resources’ beginning on August 9.Hiremath said, “The objective of the campaign is to protect natural resources and the empowerment of gram sabhas.The present challenge is to fight against economic colonialism led by selfish rulers and to strive towards holistic development.”A meeting of Jan Sangram Parishad will be held on June 10.A two-day camp for Karnataka representatives of various groups will also be held in Ranibennur on June 30 and July 1.