HUBLI: The Forest Department had recently declared Kappata hill of Gadag as south India’s first medicinal plants sanctuary. But the same government now plans to acquire 7,182 acres in the same belt to be handed over to private steel mills.Farmers of Mundargi taluk in Gadag district are a worried lot as the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has issued notices to 350 of them for acquiring land.KIADB special land acquisition officer Mahantesh Beelagi told Express that according to the state government’s instructions, around 7,000 acres will be acquired in Mundargi taluk. After the government gave 30 days’ time to farmers to file objections, several objections have been already filed. After negotiations with land owners, the report will be submitted to the government after which acquisition process will commence in keeping with the government’s directions, he added.However, farmers are not willing to give up their land.Siddappa Mudalapur, a farmer of Halligudi village, told Express that no officer or politician had asked them to give the land. “We were surprised when the land acquisition office sent us a notice,” he said.Sources in the Industries Department told Express that the land will be handed over to Posco India Private Ltd (3,382 acres), SR Group (3,000 acres) and Adhunik Metallic (800 acres). These companies will install steel plants by 2014, they added.The steel mills have been eyeing Kappata hill, which is rich in natural resources, and can hence source raw material easily. The hill has 56 grade iron ore in Mudaragi taluk area. Though the area lacks connectivity, the companies have shown interest in installing their plants.Farmers’ leader Venkatesh Dasar alleged that the state government and the companies were conspiring to loot Kappata hill, which is known for rare medicinal plants.“It also boasts of high grade iron ore, which is why the government is keen on acquiring the land without discussions with farmers,” he alleged.
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