Eco forum seeks closure of granite quarry on Ponmala hill

The Ponmala Nature Protection Council (PNPC) staged a march and public meeting at Kanjeettukara junction near Kozhencherry on Monday afternoon, demanding immediate closure of the controversial granite quarry and crusher unit at the environmentally sensitive Ponmala hill in Thottappuzhasserry grama panchayat.

Environmentalist Vilayody Venugopal inaugurated the meeting.

Mr. Venugopal stressed the need for a common forum of various environment protection movements across the State.

The granite and land mafia had been encroaching upon the people’s constitutional rights to pure water and air. He said the Ponmala hill should be protected and nature-lovers would support the people of Thottappuzhasserry village who have been waging a peaceful war against exploitation of nature in violation of laws of the land.

Annie Achenkunju, PNPC president, presided. P.G. Pradeepkumar, PNPC general convener; P.R. Shaji, Aranmula Heritage Village Action Council general convener; T.R. Ajithkumar, Bharatiya Janata Party district president; V.N. Gopinatha Pillai, Kerala River Protection Council State vice-president; Shynu Philip, Aam Admi Party Assembly mandalam committee president, and K. Sunuraj; PNPC general secretary, spoke.

A march was held from the Cherukolpuzha junction to Kanjeettukara.