Coimbatore: "Sand mining in Thadagam area by brick kilns has created unfathomable damage to the environment, climate, agriculture and health of the residents living in nearby villages", said Velu Naicker, State Secretary of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam here on Sunday.
Coimbatore: "Sand mining in Thadagam area by brick kilns has created unfathomable damage to the environment, climate, agriculture and health of the residents living in nearby villages", said Velu Naicker, State Secretary of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam here on Sunday.
He opined that sand mining has caused irreversible damage to the environment, thus affecting agriculture in the region.
"If brick kilns are allowed to continue at this level, Coimbatore would soon transform into a desert like Rajasthan. Rainfall has been drastically affected because of the intense heat produced at the brick kilns. Each brick kiln has about 60- 70 feet height towering structures to release fumes and the extreme heat caused by about 204 brick kilns have altered the formation of rain bearing clouds", alleged Velu Naicker.
He apprised that the livelihood of the farmers is at stake because of these brick kilns.
"What started as small scale units have now become modern industries with no regulations or norms. While these brick kilns are mining sand indiscriminately, our State Environment Minister, K.C. Karuppannan has been issuing ridiculous statements. The Minister says that brick kilns are allowed to dig sand upto 75 feet and the owners are doing it with due permission. Will anyone make such an absurd statement?", questioned the State Secretary of Tamilaga Vivasaigal Sangam.
He also recalled the recent statement issued by MP P.R. Natarajan in support of brick kilns.
"Inspite of repeated complaints and proofs, the concerned authorities have not initiated any action" stated Velu Naicker.
"In an RTI reply it is revealed that around 1400 people living in Thadagam, 24 Veerapandi Pirivu, Somayampalayam, Nanjundapuram and Chinnathadagam in which these brick kilns operate have procured medicines for cancer from Primary health centres. Moreover, untimely deaths of middle aged people and respiratory ailments for children has become the way of life for those people", he claimed.
He added that the farmers association is planning to conduct a press conference on Wednesday to present more data supporting their claims on brick kilns operating in Thadagam.