Bangalore: Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) Tiger Conservation Campaigner Peter Richardson has appealed to the Karnataka Government not to renew the license for the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. at its present location in the Kudremukh ranges of Western Ghats which has been recognised internationally as a biodiversity hotspot.
In a letter to CM Krishna, Richardson suggested that the license could however be given in Sandur in Bellary district where the iron content in the ore deposits was about 60 percent as against 38 percent in Kudremukh. Referring to the Centre's request to extend the lease, Richardson said the implementation of the request would be in direct violation of India's Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.