Directs State to get nod to operate quarries in accordance with law

MADURAI

Development can never be at the cost of environment, observed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court while disposing of a petition filed against the proposal to operate stone quarries in proximity to Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tirunelveli.

The court was hearing a case filed against a tender notification issued for operation of 17 stone quarries close to KMTR. The petitioner, S. Sudalaikannu of Tirunelveli, complained that out of the proposed 17 stone quarries, at least five fell within the eco-sensitive zone and this could cause irreparable damage to flora and fauna in the region.

A Division Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Sathish Kumar took cognisance of the submission made by the Deputy Director of Forests of the KMTR, who claimed that the Forest department was not aware of the tender notification issued by the Collector and acknowledged that the permission was in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The court observed that requisite permission was mandatory from the Standing Committee of National Board of Wildlife. The State ought to have satisfied itself from the Forest department and obtained permission from the National Board of Wildlife. The court stressed the fact that a public authority before issuing a notification or permission for starting a project must satisfy itself by assessing necessary material from its own Forest department and get the mandated clearance from the National Board of Wildlife as mandated by law.

It directed the State to obtain permission to operate quarries in accordance with law and then issue notification, while stating that the measures must be undertaken to take care of environmental concerns.