About 177 illegal brick kilns operating in Thadagam and surrounding areas have already been sealed. District Collector Sameeran has warned that strict action will be taken if any work is carried out in the kilns in violation of the rules.
Coimbatore: As many as 177 brick kilns operating without permission in five village Panchayats in Thadagam valley area of Coimbatore district were sealed as per the Collector's order on June 13, 2021.
The action was taken following a Supreme court order which heard a case filed by National Green Tribunal in this respect.
Earlier the National Green Tribunal, which took suo motu cognizance of the matter approached the court seeking remedial action, based on the committee report headed by the Coimbatore District collector.
The said report from the collector had submitted that soil theft to the tune of Rs 373 crore and ecological loss to the tune of Rs.66 had been committed due to the illegally operation brick kilns in the Thadagam valley.
In the meanwhile the brick kiln owners approached the Tamil Nadu government with a plea to resume operation. Accepting the appeal of the brick kiln owners, the Commissioner of Geology and Mines, Government of Tamil Nadu issued an order that the kilns can be operated after paying a fine in instalments of Rs 2 lakh each.
Following this the bricks resumed operations and sold the stocks from their respective kilns.
However, various petitioners against the brick kilns were brought to the notice of the High Court and the National Green Tribunal following which the High court stayed the resumption of operations in the brick kilns.
In this scenario, Coimbatore District Collector Sameeran issued an order on July 13 to Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore North Revenue Divisional Officer, Periyanaickenpalayam DSP detailing that “As per the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on January 6, the matter will be heard on January 11. Till then, the status quo in brick kilns should continue”.
The Collector has requested the concerned officials to monitor the brick kilns in such a way that no activity is carried out till the High court verdict is delivered.
“ If the order is violated by brick kiln operations, stern action will be taken” the collector warned.
The action was taken following a Supreme court order which heard a case filed by National Green Tribunal in this respect.
Earlier the National Green Tribunal, which took suo motu cognizance of the matter approached the court seeking remedial action, based on the committee report headed by the Coimbatore District collector.
The said report from the collector had submitted that soil theft to the tune of Rs 373 crore and ecological loss to the tune of Rs.66 had been committed due to the illegally operation brick kilns in the Thadagam valley.
In the meanwhile the brick kiln owners approached the Tamil Nadu government with a plea to resume operation. Accepting the appeal of the brick kiln owners, the Commissioner of Geology and Mines, Government of Tamil Nadu issued an order that the kilns can be operated after paying a fine in instalments of Rs 2 lakh each.
Following this the bricks resumed operations and sold the stocks from their respective kilns.
However, various petitioners against the brick kilns were brought to the notice of the High Court and the National Green Tribunal following which the High court stayed the resumption of operations in the brick kilns.
In this scenario, Coimbatore District Collector Sameeran issued an order on July 13 to Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore North Revenue Divisional Officer, Periyanaickenpalayam DSP detailing that “As per the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on January 6, the matter will be heard on January 11. Till then, the status quo in brick kilns should continue”.
The Collector has requested the concerned officials to monitor the brick kilns in such a way that no activity is carried out till the High court verdict is delivered.
“ If the order is violated by brick kiln operations, stern action will be taken” the collector warned.