The fight of various youth organisations against the move to reopen a big granite quarry at Vilangad in Vanimel panchayat has partly become a success with the decision of the Revenue Department to review the permit given by the local body to the quarry operator.
Following petitions submitted by various youth organisations to District Collector N. Prasanth, a Revenue squad recently inspected the quarry and verified the genuineness of the complaint. According to official sources, the squad members were convinced of the issue and they would go ahead with the procedures to issue stop memo to the unit on grounds of environmental issues.
Pollution
The Revenue squad that visited the spot examined in detail the pollution threats prevailing in the area and the chances of contaminating a number of rivulets with the full-fledged functioning of the quarry. They also found the looming threat to the nearby tribal settlements.
Though the quarry operator resumed the works on the basis of a court order, sources said it could be challenged again in the court after obtaining a favourable order from the district administration.
A Democratic Youth Federation of India worker from the area said several families, including those from the tribal groups, were concerned about the move to reopen the quarry as it was located close to an ecologically sensitive area with rich water sources and greenery. “Except the Indian Union Muslim League who rules the panchayat, all other political parties are up in arms against the quarry,” he said.
Youth organisations including the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and the Youth Congress had opposed quarrying in the area. They had also mobilised public support to block the construction work of a bridge leading to the quarrying site.
