Min: No study linking quarries & landslides

Thiruvananthapuram: Industries minister EP Jayarajan said that no study has proved that the presence of quarries in state have led to landslides and landslips. Places where there are no quarries have also been affected by landslides. Other factors too led to landslides, he said.
Inspection by mining and geology department has not said quarries are the reasons for landslides. Centre for Earth Science Studies, Centre for Water Resources Development and Management and Geological Survey of India (GSI) have also conducted various studies in the state. No study pointed out this, he said.
Hill slope, continuous rain, mud density and land structure are said to be the reasons for landslides. Centre has asked GSI to do a scientific study into impacts created by quarries. “Though Gadgil and Kasturirangan studied ecological impact of quarrying, they haven’t scientifically studied about the impact created by quarries,” he said. tnn