Bangalore, DHNS: The 356-page State of Indias Environment Report - Rich Lands, Poor People - Is Sustainable Mining Possible? was released in Bangalore on Monday... Mining in India (including in the iron ore-rich Bellary district) contrary to the government's claims, has done little for the development of mineral-bearing regions. It has only triggered severe environmental and social consequences, says the latest report of the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. The 356-page State of India's Environment Report - Rich Lands, Poor People - Is Sustainable Mining Possible? was released in Bangalore on Monday. CSE director Sunita Narain said Bellary is the worst-hit district due to mining. "Bellary opened up for mining only in recent years. But the industry did not go for better ways of mining. It has been a place of illegal mining. Forest areas have been covered by mine owners. The export of the ore has devastated the life of the common public in the district,' she said. The district has been exporting iron ore worth Rs 10,000 crore every year. The royalty generated by mining per annum is Rs 100 crore. However, the wealth is not shared among people of the district. It stands third from the bottom among the districts of the State in the Human Development Index (HDI). Similarly Gulbarga, which exports highest amount of limestone in the country, stands third from the bottom in the HDI, she said. David Pichamuthu, director, Federation of Indian Mineral Industries argued that the report does not differentiate among excellent, good, bad and ugly mining companies. He pointed out that the living condition of people in mining areas is poor not because of mining, but due to poor governance. K N Shanth Kumar, chairperson, The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited, said the public in general are opposed to mining activities because of its impact on road network and environment. "Illegal mining has been rampant. A large section of people feel that nationalisation of mining would set things right,' he said, and suggested the revision of royalty on export of ore. He expressed concern over mine owners' control over politics in the State. KSPCB chairman H C Sharatchandra pointed out that pollution control boards are handicapped with limited power to act upon law breakers. "Even if I see a company polluting the atmosphere, I cannot order its closure. I have to serve a notice and give enough time to reply. Then I have to move the court,' he said. REPORT SAYS *1950 - 1991: 2.6 million people displaced due to mining * Not even 25 per cent of them have been rehabilitated * Over 1.64 ha of forest area diverted for mining * Wealth of mineral not shared among locals *Karnataka lost Rs 3,000 crore because of illegal mining between 2004 & 2006