The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a joint inspection by a three-member panel, led by the District Magistrate, to verify the factual aspects of a plea alleging illegal rock mining adversely affecting springs. water and also affecting almost 10,000 people of Kottarakkara taluk of Kollam district in Kerala.

A bench of Judge Brijesh Sethi noted the seriousness of the allegations and said it seemed necessary to verify the factual position on the matter through a joint committee of the National Environmental Impact Assessment Authority. (SEIAA), the Department of Mines and Geology and the Ernakulam District Magistrate.

The Kollam District Magistrate will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance, the bench said in an order dated January 25. He further stated that the joint committee could meet within one month to undertake a site visit and review the claimant’s grievance. A factual and action report can be provided within three months before the Registrar, National Green Tribunal, Southern Zonal Bench in Chennai.

The bench scheduled the case for a rehearing on April 28.

According to the complaint, the illegal rock mining is operated and owned by Mohammed Roshan H., a resident of Cherukulam for over a year. It is believed that illegal mining has devastated fresh water sources including a river and groundwater in the locality and has also affected around 10,000 people residing nearby.

Soil removed by mining operations is piled up near mining areas without taking precautionary measures. A senior secondary school is also located within 300 meters of the mine. The road, which is also used by schoolchildren, is damaged due to trucks carrying lots of loads, the plea says.

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