Kerala: Greens allege attempts to scuttle quarry ban order

WAYANAD: Environmental activists alleged that a section of revenue officials colluded with the mining mafia to scuttle the order issued by former collector Kesavendra Kumar banning quarrying in prominent tourism spots and ecologically sensitive spots in the district.   It is to be recalled that a ban was imposed by the district administration on August 16 against quarrying in the 200 meters radius of Phantom Rock, Kolagappara and Aarattupara as any damage to the rocks would affect the tourism potential of the district as well as cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem, a press release said.

The former collector had also directed officials to issue stop memo to all the existing quarries and granite crusher units in the tourism spots of Sulthan Bathery taluk. Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi secretary Thomas Ambalavayal told DC that the former District Collector as the chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority issued the ban orders on August 2 but the stop memos were not issued by the village officers even a month later. In Ambalavayal village, six stop memos were issued on 19-9-2016 whereas the Krishnagiri village officer issued stop memos but without stating a particular date.

Interestingly, the Ambalavayal village officer issued the stop memo only after ensuring that the quarry owners got a stay order from the High Court on September 9. Two crusher units are yet to be served with any stop memos so far, it was pointed out.  However Wayanad district collector BS Tirumeni told DC that he would look into the issue and crosscheck whether there were any faults on the part of officials. “ A few of the quarry owners obtained a stay order from the High Court against the ban which we are trying to vacate”, he added.