Madras High Court Demands State Action on Illegal Quarries in Madurai Villages
In a significant development, the Madras High Court has intervened in a critical environmental and agricultural issue affecting rural communities in Madurai district. On Monday, the court formally sought a response from the Tamil Nadu state government regarding a plea that calls for the immediate closure of all quarries and stone crushing units operating without proper leases in Kallanai and surrounding villages within Kalligudi taluk.
Public Interest Litigation Highlights Grave Concerns
The case was brought before a division bench comprising Justice G Jayachandran and Justice K K Ramakrishnan. The bench is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by R Subramaniyan, a farmer hailing from Kallanai village. The petitioner's arguments underscore the severe impact of these illegal operations on local livelihoods and the environment.
Subramaniyan emphasized that the villages of Kallanai, Nedungulam, Chinna Ulagani, Periya Ulagani, Thoombakulam Pudur, and Achankulam rely entirely on agriculture for their sustenance. Their agricultural practices are heavily dependent on groundwater and river-based irrigation systems, with the Gundar river serving as the primary source for both irrigation and groundwater recharge. This river also sustains wells and borewells that provide essential drinking water and support domestic needs for the communities.
Environmental and Legal Violations Detailed
The petitioner detailed how stone crushers and blue metal quarries in the area are operating in blatant violation of key statutory provisions. These include the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules of 1959 and the Mines Act of 1952. According to the PIL, these illegal activities have led to serious environmental degradation, including the depletion of groundwater resources and the destruction of fertile agricultural lands.
Furthermore, the quarries and tar manufacturing units are accused of illegally discharging sludge-laden waste and stone debris directly into the Gundar river. This pollution has rendered once-fertile agricultural parcels barren, caused irreversible soil quality degradation, and made cultivation practically impossible. As a result, the livelihood of the farming community has been severely compromised, and the natural water flow of the river has been adversely affected.
Villagers Stage Protest and Face Detention
In a parallel development, residents from several affected villages took their grievances to the streets on Monday. They staged a protest by blocking the car of District Collector K J Praveen Kumar inside the Madurai collectorate campus. Their demand was clear: the immediate closure of all quarries functioning in Kalligudi taluk.
Police officials initially attempted to negotiate with the villagers, urging them to withdraw their protest. However, when the villagers persisted, police detained them to maintain order. Later, a few representatives from the villages were allowed to meet with the collector. After receiving assurances from the collector that he would look into the issue, the detained villagers were subsequently released.
This protest highlights the growing frustration and desperation among local communities who are bearing the brunt of environmental negligence. The court's intervention, coupled with the villagers' direct action, underscores the urgency of addressing this issue to protect both the environment and agricultural livelihoods in the region.
