Concern expressed over red earth mining near Thondamuthur

Revenue Divisional Officer to brief brick kiln owners today on rules and regulations

Red earth mined at a place near the forest boundary at Kuppepalayam near Thondamuthur in Coimbatore.

After turning Thadagam Valley into an area of deep pits and pollution through uncontrolled mining, brick kiln operators have started sourcing the raw material for their units from Kuppepalayam near Thondamuthur.

Sources said that red earth has been mined to a depth of over ten feet near the forest boundary at Kuppepalayam. And the mined earth was being transported to brick kilns in Somayampalayam and other places in Thadagam Valley, around 15 km away.

“People have started opposing mining at Somayampalayam panchayat as the activity will diminish the real estate value. There are 14 brick kilns operational at Somayampalayam. Now, brick kiln operators are sourcing the raw material from other places including Kuppepalayam. People have also raised concerns about mining affecting the real estate value of land in Pannimadai Panchayat where nine brick kilns are operating,” said S. Ganesh of Thadagam, a member of people's forum against red earth mining in the valley.

Nanjundapuram, Thadagam and Veerapandi are the three other panchayats where mining and brick manufacturing are taking place. Thadagam and Veerapandi together have nearly 170 of the 200-odd brik kilns operational in the valley, said Mr. Ganesh.

Recently, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) in reply to a query under the Right to Information (RTI) Act said it had not issued permits to any of the brick kilns.

Meanwhile, P. Suresh, Revenue Divisional Officer, Coimbatore North, has called for a meeting of officials from various Departments and brick kiln owners at Nanjundapuram on September 24.

As per the letter, a copy of which is with The Hindu , the meeting on September 24 was called based on inspection committee meeting on “illegal mining of red earth at various places in Coimbatore” chaired by the District Collector on September 10.

The Collector had ordered to conduct the meeting to brief brick kiln operators on the rules and regulations they ought to follow in the business.

The letter has been addressed to the Joint Director of Geology and Mining Department, Divisional Engineer of TNPCB, Deputy Superintendents of Police of Periyanaickenpalayam/Karumathampatty, Tahsildars of Mettupalayam, Annur and Coimbatore North and owners of brick kilns.

Mr. Ganesh said that Revenue Department was “acting in a biased way” as those campaigning against illegal mining of red earth for the cause of environment and people’s health were not invited for the meeting.