TIMES NEWS NETWORKMangaluru: The Society for Forest, Environment and Climate Change (Aranya, Parisara Mathu Havamana Badalavane Sangha) has urged the govt to stop the extraction and transportation of aluminous laterite (bauxite)under the guise of laterite soil in Dakshina Kannada, claiming the practice causes significant revenue loss to both the state and central governments.Benedict Fernandes, secretary of the organisation, told reporters on Saturday, that several trucks allegedly transporting aluminous laterite from the Mudipu and Badaga Edapadavu in the district show it as laterite in official invoices. “The name ‘laterite’ is generally used in common parlance as laterite stones meant for building constructions and not assoil. The mines and geology department is deliberately keeping this information hidden with an ulterior motive. Everyone in Dakshina Kannada, including authorities, knows that what is being mined is aluminous laterite and not laterite,” he alleged.“The issue is of grave public importance as illegal extraction of bauxite under the guise of laterite mining results in revenue loss; evasion of the statutory regulatory framework applicable to major minerals; environmental degradation caused by unregulated mining activities; illegal transportation and commercial exploitation of a major mineral without lawful authority; and unfair enrichment of lease holders at the expense of public resources,” he said.“An immediate investigation should be conducted into all laterite mining leases operating in Dakshina Kannada. Collect representative samples from each active mining lease and test them through an accredited laboratory to determine alumina content and the correct mineralogical classification of the extracted material. Verify whether the extracted mineral qualifies as aluminous laterite or bauxite based on its chemical composition. Immediately suspend mining operations wherever there is a prima facie case that bauxite is being extracted under the guise oflaterite pending the investigation’s completion. Initiate prosecution and other penal proceedings against the lease holders, transporters, purchasers and all responsible officials found involved in facilitating or permitting such illegal extraction,” he demanded.
Society for Forest, Environment and Climate Change secretary Benedict Fernandes addresses a press conference in Mangaluru on Saturday
