Ballari-based mining activist Tapal Ganesh has urged the State government to withdraw its acceptance of the Survey of India (SoI) strip map used for demarcating the inter-State boundary between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the Ballari Reserved Forest and undertake a fresh survey with reference to the original 1896 notified forest map.

In a representation submitted to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on Monday, Mr. Ganesh has contended that the Survey of India strip map of May 4, 2022 does not show village boundaries, whereas the original notified Ballari Reserved Forest map contains village boundary markers and contour records that should form the basis for determining the inter-State boundary.

Referring to an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on April 20, 2011 by the then Karnataka Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath in WP (C) No 562 of 2009 (Samaj Parivartana Samudaya vs State of Karnataka), Mr. Ganesh said that the State government submitted before the Supreme Court that the inter-State boundary will be finalised as per the 1896 map and urged the Shivakumar government to adhere to the position taken in the affidavit.

Mr. Ganesh argued that the 2022 Survey of India strip map differed from the original notified forest map of 1896 in its depiction of boundaries and natural features.

He said that the strip map, based on which the inter-State boundary was demarcated, did not contain the village boundaries and boundary markers found in the original records.

He has sought the withdrawal of the State’s acceptance of the boundary based on the 2022 strip map and urged the State government to have the boundary verified with reference to the original 1896 forest map.

He has also urged the State government to stand by the position taken in the 2011 affidavit and base the demarcation of the boundary on the 1896 notification.

He sought the constitution of a committee comprising officials of the Revenue, Forest and Mines and Geology departments and the Survey of India to verify the position on the ground with reference to the old records and place its findings before the Supreme Court.

Another request that Mr. Ganesh has made in the representation relates to the recovery of about ₹884 crore that was caused as a loss to the State Exchequer in connection with the illegal mining activities of Obulapuram Mining Company.

He has been repeatedly seeking action for recovery of the amount referring to the findings recorded in the judgment of the CBI court in Hyderabad of May 6, 2025.

He noted that the Ballari Chief Conservator of Forests has also referred to the issue of recovery of ₹884 crore from the mining company and its group companies in a report submitted to the Forest Department in July 2026.

Mr. Ganesh has requested the Chief Secretary to give him a personal hearing and take appropriate steps in the matter, including placing the State’s position before the Supreme Court.

Published - August 18, 2026 10:42 pm IST