The state government of Tamil Nadu provided an update to the Madras High Court regarding illegal quarrying activities on patta land parcels in the Kadaladi taluk of Ramanathapuram district. A local agriculturalist filed a public interest litigation, highlighting the detrimental effects of these activities on the Gundaru River, a crucial source of irrigation and groundwater replenishment. The government formed a committee to investigate the matter, confirming the illegal quarrying. The court instructed the authorities to present a status report on the progress made in curbing the issue. This case emphasizes the importance of addressing illegal sand mining and protecting natural resources.
In a recent development, the state government of Tamil Nadu provided an update to the Madras High Court regarding the discovery of illegal quarrying activities on patta land parcels in the Kadaladi taluk of Ramanathapuram district. The disclosure came during a hearing for a public interest litigation filed by M. Murugan, a local agriculturalist deeply concerned about the detrimental effects of such activities.
Murugan highlighted the significance of the Gundaru River, which flows through the Kadaladi taluk and serves as an essential source of irrigation for fields while also replenishing the groundwater reserves in the region. However, distressingly, an individual had initiated sand quarrying operations on patta land parcels in both Kadaladi and K Veppangulam without acquiring the necessary permissions from the appropriate authorities.
The petitioner brought attention to the indiscriminate and unauthorized mining activities taking place on the patta land parcels and even in the Gundaru River itself. The adverse consequences of allowing such excessive mining to persist would undoubtedly lead to water scarcity issues, ultimately negatively impacting the local farming community.
In light of these concerns, the petitioner sought legal intervention from the court, urging the authorities to take immediate action to curb the illegal sand mining activities in both Kadaladi and K Veppangulam. Responding to the petition, the state government informed the court that a dedicated committee comprising officials from the revenue and police departments had been formed to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Upon conducting inspections, the committee confirmed the occurrence of illegal quarrying activities on the patta land parcels in Kadaladi and K Veppangulam. To address this issue effectively, the committee vowed to identify the owners of the lands involved and subsequently file police complaints against the offenders engaged in illegal mining activities.
Taking note of the state government's submissions, a division bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice T. Raja and Justice L. Victoria Gowri instructed the authorities to present a status report on the progress made in combating the issue. The court adjourned the case until June 22 to allow for further deliberations and updates on the actions taken to rectify the situation.
In conclusion, the Madras High Court's involvement in this matter highlights the significance of addressing illegal sand mining and its adverse consequences on both the environment and local communities. The forthcoming status report requested by the court will shed light on the progress made and the actions taken by the authorities, providing valuable insights into the efforts to curb this unlawful activity. The court's commitment to addressing this issue sets a crucial precedent for the protection and preservation of natural resources in the region.
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
