ARIYALUR
Environmental activists and a section of farmers and residents of Athanakurichi, Manakkudaiyan villages and neighbouring areas near Sendurai registered their strong opposition to the proposed expansion of limestone mines of the Ramco Cement during a public hearing near Sendurai on Saturday.
Various activists, farmers and residents participated in the public hearing organised by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on establishing a new limestone on 49.285 hectare at Pudupalayam. Collector M. Vijayalakshmi presided over the meeting.
While a section of people welcomed the proposal, several others strongly objected to it.
An environmentalist said that cement production and limestone mining activities had destroyed farming operations on about 2000 acres. It had caused severe air and water pollution in the area. Moreover, ponds, lakes and public places have also been encroached for limestone mines. Stipulated rules, conditions and regulations were flouted while carrying out mining activities. Hence, permission should not be given to expand limestone mines.
Selvanambi, a resident, said that the encroached lands should be retrieved by the Government. Instead of employing local people, the company had employed outsiders. It should provide employment opportunities to the farmers, who provided their lands to the cement factory. A few people, who welcomed the proposal, said that it would create new employment opportunities.
