The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), appointed by the Supreme Court to conduct a macro-level environment impact assessment study report of Bellary district in Karnataka in view of widespread illegal iron ore mining, has recommended measures with far-reaching implications.

The study has found large-scale damage to the environment, flora and fauna and socio-economic levels of the population in and around mining areas. It has favoured the continuation of mining only by large leaseholders, meaning companies with at least 50 hectares of leased area.