THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) will be carrying out detailed checks in quarries including cluster quarries across the state to check the violation of norms.
The move comes in the wake of reports of violation of rules by quarries. The SEIAA meeting to be held on September 19 will decide the road map for inspection of quarries. Pressure is mounting on the government and the committee to curb the violations that are taking place in quarries in view of huge destruction caused by natural calamities in the state.
It goes without saying that violation of Kerala Mines and Mineral Rules by quarries need to be checked to prevent further destruction. The landslides that were witnessed during the floods this time were mainly in ecologically sensitive areas especially in Malappuram and Wayand districts.
Experts say most of the quarries in the state were functioning in ecologically sensitive zones which are also prone to landslides.
They allege that the relaxation granted by the government in rules over the last three years had contributed to the present problem. The amendments to Kerala Mineral Concession Rules have paved the way for dilution of strict norms.
One of the major problems is also the proximity of quarries to public places. At many places the distance between quarries and areas inhabitated by people is less than 100 meters which is posing serious threat not just to environment but also to the installations in the area.
The experts believe that instead of big talks, the government should strictly enforce the existing laws and show no mercy to those who were blatantly violating the norms.
