Putting an end to unrestricted granite mining in ecologically fragile areas, the Wayanad district administration has restored a prohibition order that bans granite-mining, quarrying, and stone-crushing at three tourism sites in the hill district, which is a biodiversity hotspot in the Western Ghats.
Wayanad District Collector B. S. Thirumeni , who is also the chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), restored the prohibition order, which was issued by the then District Collector Kesavendrakumar on August 2 last.
Mr. Kesavendrakumar had issued a directive to the officials concerned to stop all granite-mining and quarrying activities and functioning of crusher units at Phantom Rock, Arattupara and Kolagappara rocks, in Ambalavayal and Krishnagiri villages respectively, and also a 200-metre radial distance from all boundary points of these rocks.
Earlier, a DDMA meeting had decided to issue a directive at the district-level and to local authorities under Section 30(2) (iii) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It empowers the authority to take action to ensure that proper measures are taken for the prevention of disasters.
Mr. Kesavendrakumar said in his order that the landscape of these rocks and their premises were mountainous in nature with steep slopes and rises. Owing to terrain specifics, these ecologically fragile areas bear high risk of landslips. Landslips in the region could be catastrophic as the bottom areas of this rocky region are populated.
He said any landslip in these areas would result in heavy loss of lives and property. As of now, mining and other commercial activities are causing considerable damage to these natural monuments,he added. Later, a group of quarry owners approached the Kerala High Court to quash the order. However, the Court directed the District Collector to hear the grievances of the quarry owners before executing the directives.
“Though the quarry owners had demanded to lift the ban during hearing, on the ground that granite products were essential for construction works in the district, we decided to restore the directives after realising the significance of conserving the e”’cologically fragile areas,” Mr. Thirumeni told The Hindu.
