Environment Committee misled, alleges environmentalist

Panel’s reply to petition says all granite quarries functioning with proper authorisation

A report of the Environment Committee of the Kerala Legislative Assembly hinting that all the stone quarries in Kozhikode district were completely authorised and legal, was proof for the State government playing into the hands of the quarry lobby, alleged T.V.Rajan, State Secretary of the All Kerala River Protection Committee. Mr.Rajan had submitted a petition to the environment committee a year ago, the reply to which was given earlier this month. Mr.Rajan, in the petition had questioned the authorisation and legal compliance of quarries across the district. The committee had sought reports from all departments concerned and had then replied to Mr.Rajan’s query. The reply letter from the Environment Committee states that all the granite quarries mentioned in the petition were functioning with proper authorisation for years. This includes six quarries in Koodaranhi village and eight in Karassery panchayat. The report says they all have approval from the Environmental Impact authorities at the district level as well as State level, trade licences, explosive licences and permits from the local bodies as well as the Pollution Control Board.