In Brief
This judgment addressed implementation of an environmental protection scheme for iron-ore mining areas in Karnataka. The Court directed that environmental measures focus initially on nine major mining leases accounting for 80% of iron-ore production. The Court ordered lessees to install conveyor belt systems, mandated specific railway infrastructure, and directed the Central Empowered Committee to convene meetings with all stakeholders to determine feasibility and cost-sharing arrangements. The Court also granted the State of Karnataka liberty to withdraw a report on auction viability and permitted it to proceed with auctioning viable Category 'C' mines, with freedom to return to Court if needed.
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