Slamming the State government stand that environment clearance cannot be insisted on for granting permission for all mining activities, a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Wednesday observed that the State which had been enjoined to protecting the rights of individual to environment could not negate its duty or close its eyes to illegal mining operations.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashok Bhutan and Justice A.M. Shaffique further observed that “environment protection cannot be sacrificed in the name of development. Developments have to be carried out taking due care of the environment.”
“It needs no emphasis that it is the obligation of the State government and all generations to protect the natural resources. Natural resources cannot be allowed to be overexploited,” the Division Bench added.
State should not close its eyes to illegal quarrying
No mining should be allowed disregarding statutory provisions
