PIL against quarrying near Tiger Reserve

Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsThe Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has ordered notices to Union, State Governments, Government agencies and five granites companies operating in Ambasamudram taluk of Tirunelveli district on a public interest litigation filed for restraining granite quarrying near Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), in violation of rules.R Papanasam, the secretary of Ambai Taluk Tamirabarani Vivasayigal Nala Sangam, in a petition filed through his counsel T Lajapathi Roy, said as per the existing policy of the State and Union Governments, commissioning of granite quarry in any place close to a tiger sanctuary within 10 km of radius from its outer limits was not permitted without environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.But in the Ambasamudram Taluk, the quarries were located close to the tiger reserve.As per the details provided by the Deputy Director of the KMTR, the nine granite quarries run by Pallava Granites, PRP Exports, Murugan Enterprises, Rajapalayam Textiles and Archana Granites were located within 1.5 km to 2.5 km from the tiger reserve.It was shocking to know that the quarries were located within 10 km radius of the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve which was the source of river Tamirabarani, said the petitioner.Therefore, he prayed, the firms should be restrained from quarrying in Ambasamudram, South Papankulam, South Kallidaikurichi, Poongudaiyarkulam villages. He also prayed direction to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Secretary, Department of Environment of Forests of Tamil Nadu, Chief Conservator of Forests, KMTR, to take effective steps to protect the KMTR. Hearing the counsel’s plea, the Division Bench of Madurai Bench of Madras High court comprising Judges PPS Janarthana Raja and M Duraiswamy ordered notices to Union and the State Governments, returnable on September 4. The Bench also ordered notices to the five quarrying companies and posted the case for hearing on September 4.first published:August 29, 2012, 08:36 ISTlast updated:August 29, 2012, 08:36 IST 
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