Karnataka: Uranium mining in Gogi cleared

GULBARGA: The hurdles placed by Gogi and surrounding villages of Shahapur taluk to uranium mining in the area were cleared after a local committee consisting of two prominent doctors of Yadgir district submitted a report on the safety aspects of uranium mining.The committee opined that uranium mining and ore processing can be carried out with minimum or little hazard to the operating personnel and people with good technology, commitment to personnel and environmental safety and sound environmental management practices.The report of the committee, consisting of Dr J R Mudakavi (chairman) and Dr Shekhar Patil (member), which was submitted to Yadgir district administration on July 18, 2011, was made available to The New Indian Express on Friday.The local committee was constituted following pressure from Bhumitai Horata Samiti of Gogi and Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha to study and evaluate the effect of mining on the environment, ecology, surface and underground water and represent the interests of the farmers.In response to the demand, Yadgir Deputy Commissioner advised Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to include the names of Dr Mudakavi and Patil for conducting the related studies.After visiting both proposed Gogi uranium mine site and Jaduguda, the committee recommended to the government to allow UCIL to carry out uranium mining on condition that it should follow 20 recommendations made by it.Yadgir Deputy Commissioner Gurunit Tej Menon told Express that Western Ghats Task Force chairman Anant Hegde Ashisar will visit Gogi and surrounding areas on Saturday and discuss with local people the recommendations made by the local committee to pave way for safe uranium mining in Gogi and surrounding villages.