The Small Scale Quarry Association (SSQA) of Kerala has alleged that the campaign against stone quarries blaming them for natural disasters, including landslips, was to help large-scale quarry owners. Association general secretary M.K. Babu on Tuesday alleged that some ‘fake’ environmentalists were behind the campaign that was purely based on financial interests.
“There were no quarries anywhere in an 8-km radius from places where landslips happened recently. No scientific study was held on the reason behind the landslips. But the blame has already been placed on quarries,” he said.
The campaign has been successful in raising fingers against small quarries that function by following all norms and with environmental clearance.
“More than 200 leased quarries are functioning in the State without proper clearance. No environmentalist has raised even a finger against them,” said A.K. Davison, treasurer of the Association.