Navi Mumbai | Dec 08, 2016: While the greens and senior officers of the government agencies agree that the ongoing quarrying of the Parsik hill range in the city should be stopped to restore the ecosystem and curb health hazards, Cidco has already extended the 70 lease agreements in October till March 31, next year.

In 2006, the state government allowed mining and quarrying rights till 2016 in the civic areas while the Union environment ministry's nod is on till 2026. Many officials fear that the Cidco board may renew the mining rights again for five more years.

Thane district mining officer, Manoj Meshram, told TOI on Thursday, "Cidco has extended 70 lease agreements of quarrying and mining rights.'' Cidco sources also confirmed the move but did not comment on further extension plan.

Some officials feel that the state government should end the quarrying rights this year as "the hill is a central part of the expanding MMR with upcoming townships.'' A recent medical camp in Turbhe pointed at health hazards due to the poor air quality near mining sites.

The district environment committee, headed by the Thane collector, was formed a month ago and is yet to convene a meeting. Environmentalist, Pramod Salaskar, suggested a environmental impact study of the quarrying activities so far.

President of Navi Mumbai Environmental Preservation Society, Vinod Punshi, said, "The hill is in a bad shape and it's time to take remedial measures," The ESR has also stated the damaging impact of quarrying.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)