A writ petition was filed on Monday before the Kerala High Court seeking to stop the mining of mineral sand at Alappad and implement recommendations of an environment assessment committee for mitigating the dangers caused by mining.
The petition was filed by K.M. Hussain of Alappad. According to him, the environment assessment committee headed by former Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran had conducted a study into the issue and submitted a report before the Assembly.
Sand accumulation
The committee found that sand had started accumulating after excavation as it was being done unscientifically. The committee recommended suspension of mining activities for six months to avoid sea erosion. Besides, the committee suggested setting up a km-long ‘pulimuttu’ (breakwater) into the sea.
It also recommended setting up of a monitoring committee. However, none of these suggestions had been implemented, he said. He pointed out that mining by Indian Rare Earths Limited had damaged the very existence of Alappad panchayat. If mining was allowed to continue, the entire area would be submerged by sea.