Horatti Demands CM Siddaramaiah Reject All Mining Proposals in Kappattagudda

Hubballi: Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council, Basavaraj Horatti has strongly urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take an unambiguous stance by rejecting all proposals for mining in the ecologically sensitive Kappattagudda region.

In a detailed letter, Horatti emphasized that proposals for mining in Kappattagudda, often called the “Sahyadri of North Karnataka” for its rich medicinal and ecological diversity, should not just be postponed but entirely dismissed.

Horatti’s letter highlighted the long-standing struggle by public activists and religious leaders to protect this unique region from destructive industrial practices. Despite continuous public resistance, he noted that business interests persistently push mining applications forward, with 28 proposals recently submitted to the government. While a recent meeting of the State Wildlife Board chaired by CM Siddaramaiah deferred a decision on allowing mining within a 10-kilometer radius of the sanctuary, Horatti argued that deferring is insufficient and falls short of the firm stance that Kappattagudda requires.

“This postponement has only deepened public mistrust and heightened concern,” Horatti asserted, adding that vague decisions foster suspicion and disappointment among the people of North Karnataka. He urged the Chief Minister to issue a definitive order to reject all mining projects in Kappattagudda, calling it a rare and priceless heritage that demands decisive protection from exploitative forces. Horatti warned that failure to act decisively could jeopardize the government’s credibility and appealed to the CM to safeguard this irreplaceable ecological treasure with a clear directive, securing Kappattagudda’s sanctity for future generations.