Kozhikode | Feb 10, 2015:
Efforts by the residents in Thalakkulathur village to stop the illegal soil mining at the nearby Palora Hills have been unfruitful as the Revenue authorities are yet to take action on their demands.
Report ignored
Jobish Thalakulathur, chairman of the Palora Hill Protection Committee, said an earlier order issued by the Additional District Magistrate to submit a report on the mining activities was ignored by junior officials who failed to visit the spot and study the issue even three weeks after the direction.
At night
They said mining activities in the area would take place at night and the mined soil would be carried in heavy pick-up carriers to various construction sites.
Mr. Thalakulathur said the mining mafia was using political pressure to continue with the mining activities.
“Three times, the residents in the region had blocked the soil-laden lorries, but, it did not have any impact. They also had organised a human chain protest, recently to draw public attention on the issue” he shared.
A resident said the mining activity was affecting all the potable water sources in the area.
March
Meanwhile, the hill protection committee and environmental organisations would take out a march to the mining spot next week. Environmental activist A. Achuthan would inaugurate the march.
(Source: http://www.thehindu.com/)