NGT forms team to study mining on Thenpennai

Justice K Ramakrishnan, Judicial Member and Saibal Dasgupta, Expert Member made the observation while hearing a petition filed by R Bhramanidhi regarding the illegal sand mining in Thenpennai river without getting necessary clearance, which was aided by local authorities.

“If there is any illegal mining, what is the nature of action taken and if any criminal case has been registered for illegal mining against persons who are committing them and number of vehicles seized transporting illegally mined sand,” the bench asked.

The petitioner alleged that sand miners extracting from the unpermitted area and excavated more than 15 to 20 feet depth in the river. “Uncontrolled extraction of sand through pit excavation led to the transformation of the river bed into deep pools at many locations and illegal mining is being done with the convenience of the state authorities which will have a great impact on ecology and biodiversity,” the petition said.

Bhramanidhi sought the tribunal to direct the authorities to carryout replenishment activities and restore the ecological balance in the river. SEIAA submitted that all proposals for seeking Environmental Clearance (EC) for sand mining were submitted by Public Works Department (PWD). “No proposal for sand mining was submitted for seeking EC in Keerimedu village in Uludurpettai Taluk of Thenpennai River. But 13 sand mining in Thenpennai River have EC with certain conditions,” SEIAA said.

When the matter came up for hearing, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that illegal sand mining was still going on and no attempt was made by the authorities to check the violators.

Recording the submissions, the tribunal appointed a Joint Committee comprising Villupuram District Collector, Senior Scientist from Tamil Nadu State Pollution Control Board and SEIAA, an officer from Geology and Mining Department and district Superintendent of Police to inspect the area and submit a factual and action taken report within one month.