By Ashvini Ranjan The recent news about one thousand acres of virgin forest in Sandur, Ballari District, being opened up for mining Iron and Manganese Ore by Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. (KIOCL) is shocking to say the least. In all, 99,330 trees are proposed to be felled much against the advice by the Forest Department. Besides the damage to the environment, the mining activity will seriously erode soil, affect water bodies and streams in the area. The Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) has further warned the distress the mining activity could cause to the wildlife in the area, leading to even more ‘man-animal conflict.’