Blasting of rocks and quarrying carried out in the State have serious ecological implications, say scientists of the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS).
The increased demographic pressure, settlement patterns of Keralites, and the topography of the State make it ecologically and socially vulnerable to the impacts of quarrying. At the same time, one needs to strike a fine balance between the construction needs of the State, says an expert.
CESS had earlier suggested that the district administrations earmark areas from where rocks could be quarried. Less populated areas should be identified and experts should be brought for finalising the quarrying plan. The tendency to permit large quarries should be discouraged and minor units could be permitted.
The laws governing the quarries were framed during the early 1960s when no significant technology for massive quarrying was available. The general awareness of environmental impact was less during the time of drafting the legislation. The laws need to be updated considering the developments in the sector, the expert says.
The large-scale plundering of resources should be restricted. Even while permitting quarrying, care should be taken to evolve plans for the reuse of the land where quarries functioned, he suggests.
Dispelling the general fear that quarrying may trigger earthquakes, the expert says that quarrying activities are unlikely to cause any seismic activity.
