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Context

• Months after a Supreme Court-appointed committee raised concerns over post-facto approvals given to projects seeking diversion of the forest land, the KIOCL has sought post-facto approval for submerging 700 acres of forest in Kudremukh Range at the heart of Western Ghats.

Details

• The submergence was due to the conversion of the Lakya river into a tailing dam used to store the byproducts and waste produced during the processing of iron ore at the local beneficiation plant.

About Kudremukh

• It is located in the Chikamangaluru district.
• The word “Kudremukh” means “horse face”, and the side of the mountain resembles the shape of a horse face, hence the name.
• The peak is also mentioned in the historical pages as ‘Samseparvata” as it is close to Samse.
• The mountain peak is the third highest peak in Karnataka.
• The hill station also has a National Park that is known for Tiger Preservation as well popular for rich bio-diversity.
• The Hanuman gundi waterfall which falls from a 100ft high mountain to a natural rock formation is a charming sight.

Kudremukh National Park

• The forests are home to the lion-tailed macaque due to favorable habitat. The Kudremukh National Park came into existence to preserve these kinds of animals endangered.
• Finally, in 1987, the preserved forests became a National Park.
• The Kudremukh forests with its dense jungles and shola vegetation lie in the bordering area of the Western Ghats covering three districts in Karnataka namely Chikkamagalur, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
• The highest point in the National Park is the Kudremukh peak which is around 1892 meters high.
• It is the second largest protected region near the Western Ghats. One can spot leopards, giant squirrels, tigers, jackals, barking deer’s etc.

The Pilgrimage Center

• The hill station is also popular pilgrim center, with many sacred ponds located in the nearby areas, which makes it a popular pilgrim location in Chikkamangaluru.
• Naga theertha, Amba theertha, Varaha theertha, Vashishta theertha and Rudra theertha are some of the attractions for pilgrims.
• Major rivers that originate from these spectacular mountain regions of Kudremukh include Netravathi and Tunga Bhadra.

Kudremukh Iron Ore Company and the Mining Town

• Kudremukh has an Iron Ore Company located amidst the hills; the iron ore company has laid the foundation of the beautiful township.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q) Which of the following statements with reference to the Kudremukh mountains is/are incorrect? a. The mountain peak is the highest peak in Karnataka. b. It is the largest protected region near the Western Ghats. a only b only both a and b neither a nor b Correct Answer: 3

https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/20-years-after-violation-kiocl-seeks-clearance-to-submerge-700-acre-forest-1210842.html