The alleged ‘lackadaisical’ approach of law-enforcing agencies has resulted in rampant violation of laws and regulations in granite quarries in the district.
Kerala River Protection Council State vice president V.N. Gopinatha Pillai has alleged that a granite quarry on the fringes of the Ponthanpuzha reserve forest at Chunkappara in Mallappally taluk is functioning against laws.
Though the Forest Department had rejected NoC to the quarry and crusher unit at Chunkappara, as it is less than 250 metres from the forest border, the Kottangal grama panchayat granted licence to the quarry, disregarding the objection.
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In its report to the Kerala High Court in December 2009, the Kerala State Biodiversity Board stated that “the quarry and crusher unit at Chunkappara caused and continue to cause damage to the birds and wildlife in the forest close to it, affect the plants and health of the people in its vicinity, hamper the natural springs, and irrevocably damage the ecology of the area, especially the micro-water system.”
Mr. Pillai said experts had opined that the activity also caused immense air, water, and land pollution, besides altering the face of the earth in the area, leading to drying up of micro-streams and wells nearby.
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“Whenever we approach the authorities to air our grievances, we are repeatedly told that the matter is before the High Court of Kerala and, hence, nothing could be done. Ironically, the illegal activities continue and the natural resources are plundered by the quarry operators,” he says.
The situation is no different at granite quarries at Thadiyurulippara in Vallikkode, Vadasserikkara, Chittar, Koipram, and Thottappuzhasserry, Mr. Pillai said.
He said the pendency of the case in the High Court was benefitting the quarry owners.